§ Mr. CASSELasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that on the 19th March, 1913, a bailiff was sent to 15, Hawley Road, Kentish Town, London, N.W., for the purpose of collecting £1 18s. 10d. due for Income Tax, under Schedule A, and 10s. House Duty from Mr. W. Wright, a working-man householder; that the bailiff was told Mr.
792WWright was out, but if he called in the evening he could have the sum; that in the evening, on Mr. Wright's return, the taxes were paid, but that Mr. Wright, nevertheless, has been charged with the sum of 5s 6d. in respect of costs of the distress; that in previous years Mr. Wright, as he can prove from his receipts, has always paid at a later date, and what was the reason for enforcing payment of the taxes at an earlier date and with such exceptional severity this year; and whether the Treasury will refund to Mr. Wright the sum of 5s. 6d. which has been paid by him for the costs of the distress?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe earlier facts of the case are that demands were issued on the 10th December, the 30th January, and the 1st March, the latter two being served personally by the collector and the last,
threatening distraint, at the end of the seven days, a period subsequently extended till the 19th March. The further facts are generally as stated in the question, the somewhat later dates at which payments in previous years had been made having been due to delay in collection. The charges made were properly leviable under the rules applicable to distress and I do not propose that they should be refunded.