§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there are men who 598W are qualified surveyors now working in the Land Valuation Department who are paid 30s. a week; if these men have to pay their travelling expenses, which are not repaid often for several weeks; if he has considered whether it is reasonable that men paid only 30s. a week should have to disburse sums often amounting to £2 a month; and whether some arrangement will be made by which an advance can be made to these men for prospective travelling expenses?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative in the sense that there are some valuation assistants who have qualified by passing the intermediate examination of the Surveyors' Institution or Auctioneers' Institute in receipt of the salary he mentions. They are employed under responsible valuers, and are gaining their practical experience while in the temporary service of the Department. I find that under the existing arrangements the travelling expenses incurred by these officers are in some cases not refunded for several weeks, but the Commissioners of Inland Revenue are making arrangements to obviate this inconvenience.