Oral Answers to Questions — Government Departments. – in the House of Commons am ar 23 Gorffennaf 1925.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether there has been an increase in the number of Customs and Excise officers, respectively, since the introduction of the Finance Act this year; if so, what are the figures; and whether any further addition to the numbers of these officers is contemplated?
The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Guinness):
The staff of the Customs and Excise Department. which on the 1st July was 11,329, has only increased by 56 since the introduction of the Budget. It is not possible to apportion this increase to Customs and Excise work respectively, as many officers are employed on both. Some further increase in staff will be necessary, but there is every reason to suppose that the cost of collection of the new duties will compare favourably with the cost of collection of the Customs and Excise duties as a whole.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Has the right hon. Gentleman any figures as to the contemplated increase?
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
