31. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, before considering rates of tax generally in preparing the next Budget, he will ascertain how much solicitors for Government Departments are trying to collect in over due Income Tax, Surtax, pay-as-you-earn, 206 Corporation Tax and Selective Employment Tax.
§ Mr. Harold LeverIt would not be possible to ascertain this amount without a disproportionate amount of work.
Mr. Gresham CookeDoes the Financial Secretary agree that there are probably tens of millions of pounds, if not hundreds of millions, overdue in the hands of Government solicitors, and that if he collected all that money there need not be any increase in taxation on 19th March?
§ Mr. LeverThe hon. Gentleman is the first hon. Member—and I hear from many of them—to suggest that the Inland Revenue is too lenient in enforcing the collection of taxation.