§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General (1) why he will not review the present system of his appointment of general commissioners of the Inland Revenue to ensure that such persons when appointed are themselves not in debt so far as tax payments to the Inland Revenue are concerned, and that all appointed persons should sign a declaration to this effect;
(2) whether he can give an assurance that the 4,700 local commissioners of income tax, other than Mr. Poulson, are free of debts to the Inland Revenue, so far as their tax payments are concerned; and whether he will ensure, in future appointments to such positions, that persons appointed are not in debt to the Inland Revenue for more than their current year of income tax and surtax payments.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend the Lord Chancellor does not consider such a review would be of any practical use. Mr. Poulson is not now a General Commissioner of Income Tax. My noble Friend can give no such assurance about General Commissioners.