§ 53. Mr. Marplesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the conviction last year of a clerk in the Inland Revenue Department for arranging the fraudulent encashment of post-war credits; and what steps is he taking to prevent further occurrences.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe fraudulent claims for payment of post-war credits to which the hon. Member refers were brought to light by the Board of Inland Revenue's own audit staff in the course of normal internal audit. Since their discovery certain additional checks have been instituted, and I am satisfied that every reasonable precaution is, in fact, being taken to prevent this type of fraud.
§ Mr. MarplesHas not the right hon. and learned Gentleman considered the likelihood that when repayment of these credits eventually takes place some of the holders of the credits might find that repayment has been made to someone else? If so, what steps does he propose to recover the repayment for the orginal and proper holder?
§ Sir S. CrippsIf the hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Order Paper I will endeavour to answer it.
§ Mr. Douglas HoughtonIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the Inland Revenue is remarkably free from this kind of irregularity; and that it would be more suitable to call public attention to the great services to the State rendered by this Department than to malign it?