§ 66. Mr. Shurmerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that there is considerable delay in making refunds of Income Tax for newly born children; whether the delay arises owing to legal or administrative difficulties; and if it is possible for these refunds to be made more promptly.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Dalton)The difficulty is the great pressure of work and shortage of staff in Tax Offices, and I am now considering what can be done to cut down the work and provide more staff. If my hon. Friend would let me have particulars of any cases of delay, I will gladly look into them
§ Mr. W. J. BrownCan the right hon. Gentleman say how far the shortage of staff in tax offices is due to the conditions which exist? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speak up."] Can he tell us when he will put these right?
§ Mr. DaltonWe advance gradually from point to point. At the moment the chief difficulty is not that'. The chief difficulty is the pressure of work in these tax offices. A Question, I believe, is down on the Order Paper for me to answer next week, when I hope I shall be able to make a statement on what I can do in that regard.