§ 85. Mr. LOUGHasked the hon. Member for Worcester (Bewdley Division) whether he is aware that the repayment of Income Tax drawbacks by the Inland Revenue Departments is in some cases over three months behind for amounts that have been agreed with surveyors of taxes; and whether, seeing that an undertaking was given to the House last summer that greater promptness in making remittances would be observed, so that a longer 1337 interval than fourteen days should not elapse when amounts were settled, he will now take steps to see that the undertaking will be observed?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Junior Lord of the Treasury)If my right hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I will gladly ask the Board of Inland Revenue to make inquiry into it. As regards the general question, I do not think I can usefully add anything to the very full explanation which was given as recently as 28th November last in this House by my right hon. Friend the Member for the St. Rollox Division of Glasgow, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury at the time, on a Motion by my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon?
§ Mr. LOUGHWill the hon. Gentleman see that the Inland Revenue Department keep the promise made to me last year on this subject?
§ Mr. BALDWINI can assure my right hon. Friend that the Inland Revenue Board are doing all they can to deal with the matter. My right hon. Friend will recognise that we have to do much work with a depleted staff, and that the accounts is not quite so simple as in peace time.