HC Deb 07 March 1911 vol 22 cc1166-7W
Mr. CASSEL

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the responsible and confidential duties discharged by clerks to surveyors of taxes, he will consider whether it would be in the public interest to place them upon the establishment of the Civil Service; and whether he is aware that the London Chamber of Commerce have passed resolutions to that effect?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I beg to refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the Noble Lord the Member for the Newton Division of Lancashire on the 27th ult. My attention has not, so far as I am aware, been called to the resolutions referred to in the second part of the question.

Mr. CASSEL

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in many cases there is no difference between the duties discharged by clerks to surveyors of taxes who are on the establishment of the Civil Service and clerks to surveyors of taxes who are engaged on terms of being liable to dismissal at a week's notice; and, if so, will he explain the justification for this distinction?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The duties performed by clerks to surveyors of taxes vary in quantity and importance from time to time. While, as a general rule, the nature of the work performed by established clerks is of a more responsible character than that of unestablished clerks, it is necessarily impossible in all cases to draw a hard and fast line clearly distinguishing the spheres of activity of the two classes.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the names of clerks to surveyors of taxes are upon the books of the Treasury; and whether the clerks are or have been paid by the Treasury through the surveyor of taxes?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Mr. SCANLAN

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government are now prepared to accede to the request of the clerks to surveyors of taxes for better conditions of work and remuneration?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 20th ultimo to the hon. Member for Hawick Burghs.