§ 1. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in the classification into categories under Command Paper No. 8783 he has found it necessary to require that 28,200 of his staff in the Inland Revenue Department in the intermediate group should seek permission individually to engage in any of the political activities for which members of the group are eligible and has given standing permission to only 8,197, whereas in another Government Department over 32,000 are given standing permission, as against 1,800 who are required to seek permission individually.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe bulk of the staff concerned are employed in local Income Tax and rating offices where many decisions are taken affecting the private affairs of local taxpayers. In these circumstances it is necessary to consider each application on its merits, and to grant standing permission to the whole group would be inappropriate.