§ 60. Mr. STANTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is responsible for the appointment of the sub-collector of Income Tax at Hirwain, Aberdare, Glamorganshire; if he is aware that this man is a pacifist, a pro-German in sympathy, a conscientious objector, and a member of the Independent Labour party; if he is aware that the loyal workers and tradespeople of Hirwain are shocked at his appointment; if he will have inquiries made into his general conduct and honesty since his appointment; if he will see that he is at once dismissed; and if his Department will see that in no case such people will in future be appointed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member is apparently referring to Mr. Gwilym Richards, who was nominated by the South Wales Miners' Federation to assist at the Tower Pit, Hirwain, the collector of taxes for the Aberdare district. Arrangements of this kind, which are directed to secure the collaboration of representatives of the working men, have been adopted wherever possible, and have contributed in no small degree to the smooth working of the wage-earners' Income Tax. The value of assistance of this nature must obviously depend upon the acceptability to the taxpayers concerned of the person nominated; and in view of the statement made by the hon. Member, the Board of Inland Revenue propose to place themselves in communication with the South Wales Miners' Federation.