HC Deb 03 June 1947 vol 438 cc26-7
53. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to a large rural population centred around Denbigh and Ruthin through the closing of the excise office at Denbigh; and what arrangements his Department Is making to deal with the requirements of this area, particularly in regard to entertainment tax matters.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I regret any local inconvenience that may arise from the closing of the excise office at Denbigh, but, with the loss of work due to the transfer of the administration of non-contributory old age pensions from the Customs and Excise to the Assistance Board, the areas covered by some excise officers must be enlarged, and it is unavoidable that there should be fewer local excise offices, if there is to be economical use of manpower. The small amount of excise work in the Denbigh area, including all work in connection with the Entertainments Duty, will be covered by the excise officer stationed at Rhyl, which has been selected as the most convenient centre for the economical performance of all the work in this area.

Sir H, Morris-Jones

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the population of this rural area is largely Welsh speaking; that it is a deprivation to them to take away an office with a Welsh-speaking official who dealt with their needs; and further that the people of Ruthin object to going to.0swestry, 40 miles away in England, to transact Entertainment Duty matters? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter again?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

We have looked into this matter. The trouble is that if we did what is suggested, the office would only have about one and a half hours' work a week. We think it is unfair that we should keep an office open with a man there to do nothing else but carry out work which would occupy him, perhaps at the most, for two and a half hours a week. On the question of the language difficulty, most of the old people who received old age pensions could only speak Welsh and it was then essential that we should have someone who was able to speak Welsh. Those circumstances do not apply now because someone else has taken over.

Sir H. Morris-Jones

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.