§ 56 and 57. Mr. STANTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he is aware that many appointments in the collecting of Income Tax in South Wales have been granted to men who were conscientious objectors and others who were non-combatants during the War; is he aware of the dissatisfaction among the demobilised sailors and soldiers in South Wales at this; will he have enquiries made with a view to their dismissal; will he grant these positions in future only to those whose War service and fitness shall qualify them for such positions:
(2) If he is aware that a petition has been signed and sent on by a number of the inhabitants of Abercynon, Glamorgan, South Wales, protesting against the appointment of two men, named C. Dyer and J. Taylor, as local collectors of industrial Income Tax, and also by the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers; if he will have inquiries made why these men were appointed, in view of their past record during the War; if he is aware that the man J. Taylor was fined £20 for the distribution of pernicious literature during the year 1917; and if he will ascertain the facts and act accordingly?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have received the petition from Abercynon referred to by the hon Member, which related not to Mr. Dyer's appointment, but to the employment by him of Mr. J. Taylor as a clerk. Mr. Dyer was called upon to dispense with this man's services, and has since sent in his resignation. His successor will not be allowed to re-engage Mr. Taylor. As regards the other cases which the hon. Member has in mind, if he will be good enough to furnish me with particulars, suitable action will be taken.
§ Mr. STANTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that, down in Wales, for some reason we do not know, these appointments have been made, and special preferential treatment is made to members 1904 of the I.L.P. and Pacifises and people of that kind; and is he also aware that even the O.B.E. has been granted to one who is a conscientious objector?