HC Deb 14 April 1931 vol 251 cc26-7
Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

(by Private Notice) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will inform the House for what reason negotiations have recently taken place between the Board of Inland Revenue and the collectors of Income Tax throughout the country without the knowledge and consent of the Local Commissioners of Income Tax, whose servants the local collectors are, and whether he can assure the House that nothing will be done to interfere with the long-established practice of Income Tax collection whereby the appointment of collectors and assessors and the control of the collection of tax is in the hands of the Local Commissioners of Income Tax?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

I do not follow the suggestion that the consent of the Commissioners of Taxes should be obtained to conversations between the collectors and the Board of Inland Revenue. The collectors through their association are in constant touch with the Board and also with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as they have been with his predecessors. The discussions to which I understand the hon. Member to refer were entered into at the instance of the collectors following a meeting between a deputation from their association and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer to my reply on 12th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall).

Sir W. DAVISON

Are we to understand that the Treasury have not in mind any change in the present system whereby Income Tax collection is under the control of the Local Commissioners?

Mr. PETHICK - LAWRENCE

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot anticipate his Budget statement by saying what it will or what it will not contain.

Sir F. HALL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, when I put the original question to him, he said there was no intention of making that alteration, and does that still hold?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

I cannot recall the statement that the hon. and gallant Gentleman attributes to me. My impression is that I said all the time that they must await the Budget statement.

Sir F. HALL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that was in reply to the second question?