§ 21. Mr. KELLYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of Inland Revenue officers engaged in artificial silk factories; if it is part of the duties of these officers to decide on questions of building extension or alteration; and is it the work of these officers to approve or otherwise as to the installation of new machines in such factories?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)The number of officers of Customs and Excise who are employed solely in artificial silk factories is 32. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the duties of the officers in connection with building extension or alteration and the installation of new machines in the factories are confined to reporting thereon to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. The Commissioners must satisfy themselves that the general lay-out of buildings and machines permits the officers to take a correct account for duty purposes of all the artificial silk produced on the factory premises.
§ Mr. KELLYCan the hon. Member say why this duty is imposed on these officers, seeing that they have no training or qualification to decide on machinery or buildings?
§ Mr. SAMUELI assume that the Commissioners have satisfied themselves that these officers are competent to perform the duties.
§ Mr. KELLYIs it known to the hon. Member that there are many complaints from directors and manufacturers that these concerns are being held up by these officers?
§ Mr. SAMUELIt does not follow that the officers are incompetent to perform the duties.