§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that at Ystrad Police Court an Income Tax officer applied for the adjournment sine die of 50 Income Tax summonses against Rhondda miners on account of the recent reductions in the wages of the men that the magistrates granted the application; and that thousands of other workmen Income Tax payers are in a similar position; whether the Government have any intention of pressing for payment; and if he will take action in the matter?
Mr. YOUNGMy right hon. Friend's attention has not been especially directed to the cases referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question. As has been stated on previous occasions, however, it is the general practice of the Board of Inland Revenue to acquiesce in a reasonable postponement of the payment of taxes in individual cases of genuine and proved inability to meet the demands of the revenue at the dates prescribed by law. The hon. Member may rest assured that this general practice will be followed in regard to the taxpayers to whom this question relates, and that there will be granted such extension of time for payment of the tax as the circumstances of the individual cases may warrant.