§ 1. Sir R. Russellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total cost to date of the court actions taken by the Inland Revenue to establish a claim for taxation of royalties against Mr. Hammond Innes.
§ The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Diamond)The Crown's costs in the Chancery Division and the Court of Appeal totalled £1,220. Following the order for costs made in the Court of Appeal, the Crown will also have to defray Mr. Innes's costs in that Court and in the Chancery Division, but details have not yet been received from him.
§ Sir R. RussellIs not this a waste of taxpayers' money, since no precedent was likely to be created by the action? Has a decision been taken as to whether the case is to go to the House of Lords?
§ Mr. DiamondA very important principle was involved, otherwise the matter would not have been pursued as 276 far as it was. The decision has been taken not to take the matter to the House of Lords.