HC Deb 22 February 1917 vol 90 cc1456-7
56. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that single men under twenty-five years of age, with no dependants, are still being employed by the Board of Inland Revenue (Taxes Branch), and that although repeated applications to be allowed to join His Majesty's forces have been made by some of these men their requests have been rfused; and will he take steps to liberate these men and let the work be done by men over military age?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I may remind my hon. Friend that the raising of the vast additional revenue sanctioned by this House for the purpose of the War has thrown a great burden on the Board of Inland Revenue, and especially on that branch of their Department to which he particularly refers, whose work, as he is well aware, is of a highly specialised character. The question whether further men could be taken with safety from a staff already depleted is under the consideration of the Director-General of National Service.

Captain A. SMITH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that young men from eighteen to twenty-three are employed by the Board of Inland Revenue and Excise and are sent to get particulars from old people with regard to old age pensions instead of being in the Army?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have myself looked very closely into the question with the desire of sending away as many men as could possibly be spared. It has been left to the decision of the Director-General of National Service.

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