§ Mr. HUGH BARRIEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue has postponed the scheme providing for increased pay and improved prospects for clerks of surveyors of taxes, which was founded on the Report of a Special Committee appointed to investigate the position of these clerks; if so, on what grounds has it been postponed; will he state the number of clerks of the highest grade (A) who have reached the maximum salary; is he aware that these senior clerks have served many years in tax offices and that some of them have almost reached the age limit, and by further delay are being penalised both as regards salary and prospective pensions, notwithstanding the admission of the chairman as to the inadequacy of the present remuneration; and whether he will immediately give this matter his special consideration?
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§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAs regards the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question, I would remind him of the answer I gave to him on the 30th October last. The number of Class A clerks to surveyors of taxes who are drawing salary at the maximum rate laid down for then class is forty-two. I am unable to say what effect the introduction of any scheme of salaries based on new methods of recruitment for surveyors' clerks would have on the prospect of clerks now serving who have almost reached the age limit.