§ 54. Lieut. - Colonel Sir J. NORTON GRIFFITHSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a statement signed by eleven senior superintending inspectors of taxes calling attention to the injustice which they allege they have suffered in connection with recent promotions in the Inland Revenue service; and whether he will take steps to ascertain the facts and merits of the case?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy attention has been called to the issue of this circular which was, I understand, sent to all Members of the House. No previous representations with regard to the subject matter of the circular had been made either to the Board of Inland Revenue or through them to me and copies of the circular were sent to the Board and to me merely as "an act of courtesy"—to use the language of the signatories. The House will recognise that such procedure on the part of highly placed officials is subversive of discipline and directly opposed to the public interest. Acting under my directions, the Board have communicated with the signatories pointing out the grave impropriety of their procedure and its inevitable consequences, and the signatories have now been given an opportunity of considering their position. If they recognise, as I feel sure they will, that the procedure which they adopted was improper and will present their grievance to me in the proper manner, no further notice will be taken of the irregularity of procedure, and I shall, of course, go into the merits of their case carefully.