HC Deb 05 August 1976 vol 916 cc990-1W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Evchequer whether, in view of the fact that the Parliamentary Commissioner has found the Inland Revenue Department guilty of neglect and maladministration and that it should repay £644.46 which was overcharged to taxpayers, he will give an assurance that the money will be refunded to these taxpayers.

Mr. Gow

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on page 197 of his Fifth Report for the Session 1975–76, where he reported that there has been maladministration by the Inland Revenue in a particular case, that it had caused the complainants to suffer injustice and that the injustice had not been remedied.

Mr. Denzil Davies

No. The tax was charged in this case in accordance with the law. It has never been accepted that findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are binding on Departments in all circumstances, and I am satisfied that the Inland Revenue had good reasons for its view in this case.