§ 61. Mr. Thurtleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case in which the Official Receiver stated that there was a sum owing in respect of Income Tax and Surtax amounting to several hundred thousand pounds; what period of time was covered by these arrears; and why steps were not taken to enforce payment of the amount due to the Exchequer?
§ Sir J. SimonThe hon. Member is presumably referring to the case which was the subject of a Question on 5th March by the hon. Member for the Park Division of Sheffield (Mr. Lathan)—that of the estate of the late J. A. Phillips. As I stated in answer to that Question, I have called for a report on the matter.
§ Mr. ThurtleIs the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that a disclosure of a fact like this causes great indignation among taxpayers who discharge their duties. Will he, to avoid recurrence of this sort of thing, instruct his Department to enforce payment at a much earlier date than apparently is the case with large estates?
§ Sir J. SimonI think, in the circumstances, I must wait for the report. Of course, I entirely agree that, as I said just now, the only proper course is to pay taxes promptly.