asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the continuous overtime worked by the taxes branch of the Inland Revenue Department, it is proposed to make such addition to the staff as would render overtime unnecessary?

Mr. SAMUEL:

It should, perhaps, be explained to my hon. Friend that the amount of overtime recorded last year was less than one-half of the working time of one clerk per district. All that is possible is done to reduce overtime, but, owing to seasonal pressure, some overtime is always necessary. It would not be proper to maintain staff constantly at a number corresponding to the absolute peak of a variable work load.

Is not this overtime due to the sending of large numbers of red letters to individual taxpayers?

Will my hon. Friend consider reducing taxation instead of adding to the staff?

Would not many individual taxpayers be very much relieved if considerably less overtime were worked?

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that, if hon. Members on the other side of the House were to pay their Income Tax as well as those on this side, there would be no need to work overtime?