§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total amount of Income Tax payable before the 31st March last has been delayed in collection until the year 1911–12 by the request to railway companies and others sent out by the Treasury; whether he will state the name of the official to blame, and what punishment has been administered to that official; and whether he will introduce legislation to restore to the Sinking Fund the money which it has lost by this transaction?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe reply to the first part of the hon. Baronet's question is that no such request was sent out by the Treasury. As regards the second part of the question, I beg to refer him to my answer of the 3rd instant. With reference to his concluding inquiry, I am not in a position to anticipate the Budget proposals of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.