HC Deb 05 June 1928 vol 218 cc21-2
45. Mr. THURTLE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the loss to the Exchequer due to over repayment of Excess Profits Duty, in the last three financial years?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)

In the year 1927–28 repayments of Excess Profits Duty exceeded the gross receipts by about £405,000; in the two previous years the receipts were in excess of the repayments. Particulars of the net receipt of the duty and of the amount paid over to the Exchequer in those years will be found on page 100 of the 70th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper 2989).

Mr. THURTLE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he has not answered my question, which was as to the amount of money which was over repaid, that is to say, improperly repaid in excess of that which was due to be repaid. Can the lion. Gentleman tell me how much that was?

Mr. SAMUEL

The Exchequer suffered to the extent of £405,000 in 1927–28; in 1926–27 the Exchequer benefited by £4,500,000; and in 1925–26 it benefited by £2,000,000.

Mr. THURTLE

Still the hon. Gentleman has failed to reply to my question. My question was as to the amount of money which was improperly repaid by the Treasury?

Mr. SAMUEL

I do not admit the premise.

Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Is it not to be clearly understood that the answer my hon. Friend has given does not indicate or suggest that there has been any amount improperly paid and that the amounts that he has mentioned are only ordinary amounts either of credit or debit?

Mr. SAMUEL

I do not admit for a moment that there has been any improper payment.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Does my hon. Friend not realise that nobody in this House or in the country will believe that the Treasury will ever repay any money improperly?

Mr. THURTLE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the last Report of the Public Accounts Committee refers specifically to a sum of £8,000 which was improperly repaid by the Treasury? What I wanted to get at was what other sums have been improperly repaid by the Treasury.

Mr. SAMUEL

If the hon. Member will put down that specific question, I will do my best to answer it.