HC Deb 24 July 1924 vol 176 cc1516-7
60. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Sixty-sixth Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue will be published; and, seeing that the Sixty-fifth Report was published more than 18 months ago, what is the reason for the unusual delay?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The 65th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue was published in October, 1923, and the 66th Report is now in the Press. As regards the delay, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 5th June to the hon. and gallant Member for Burton, of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE.

Can we hope to have the Report before the House rises for the Summer Recess?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Burton (Colonel Gretton) that we hope to get it by August. I have stated now that it is in the Press, and I expect it will be ready in the course of a few days or a few weeks.

Colonel GRETTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps, as indicated, to expedite these Reports in future years?

Mr. SNOWDEN

Yes. We are doing everything we possibly can. There has been a great deal of exceptional work thrown upon the statistical Department of the Board of Inland Revenue during the last year or two, and particularly during the last year, in connection with the preparation of materials for Committees and the like. We very much regret the delay and we hope it will not happen in future years.

Mr. HANNON

Is not a good deal of this delay due to the unnecessary cutting down of the Civil Service?

Mr. SNOWDEN

Would I be justified in assuming that the party of economy opposite desire an increase in the Civil Service?