TAX OFFICIALS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 12

TAX OFFICIALS

ND ANONYMOUS LETTERS 'The more people who send you Dnymous letters giving away their ghbours' secrets the better you like

Mr. Justice Rigby Swift put this uestion to an Inland Revenue inspecir during an action heard recently in ie Civil Court at Leeds Assizes, rejrts the "Daily Telegraph."

The inspector, called to give evidence regarding anonymous communications alleged to have been sent to his Department, claimed privilege, and handed up a document to the Judge. After reading this, the Judge remarked to counsel: "The Inland Revenue Department says that it is not in the public interest that any evidence of this kind should be given from their Department. I gather that they do not desire to discourage the flow of anonymous communications.* I believe they like to encourage them."

In answer to the Judge's question, the inspector said that these communications were "often more trouble than they were worth." Mr. Justice Rigby Swift (to counsel): I think it is a lot of rubbish, but I am not prepared to overrule the Department. They have passed a resolution, and sworn an affidavit to the effect that it is not in the public interest to divulge such information.

To the inspector, the Judge remarked: "You need not remain if you would rather go and read your anonymous letters, of send out claims for income tax, or perform any other of your interesting duties."