Mr. Vansittartbrought in the Property Tax bill, which was read a first time; and on the motion for its second reading,
§ Sir Robert Buxtonsaid, that as he had not had an opportunity of speaking on this subject before, be would now remark on the extreme injustice and hardship which the bill would inflict, as well on the lower classes of the people, as oft the landed property of the kingdom in general. If the exemptions for repairs, for instance, were taken away, the tax would fall unequally, at least, in the proportion of 12l. or 13l. per cent. on the landed interest. This doing away of that exemption, he had always opposed. He did so on bringing in the bill of last year, and if those whose business it more peculiarly was, should not attend to it, he should feel it his duty to propose exemptions for that purpose in the committee.
Mr. Vansittartreplied, that the exemption alluded to was not included in the present bill, and that the committee was the proper stage for the discussion of that subject. He said, he meant to propose, that the bill should be read a 2d time to-morrow, for the purpose of having it committed on Thursday, after which it would be printed, and a day appointed for the report, after the holidays, when it would be competent to any gent., who thought proper, to move for its being recommitted. He assured the 639 house, at the same time, that his noble friend, the chancellor of the exchequer, bad every disposition to listen to every reasonable suggestion that might be made; but he must also remark, that exemptions of that kind might he just and right, in particular cases, which would be highly injurious if generally adopted.
§ Mr. Alderman Prinsepsaid, he was aware that this was not the proper stage for going into any discussion: but promised to deliver his sentiments upon it, when the bill should he in a committee.
Mr. Bastardcautioned the house, while they limited, the operation of the act to 10 per cent. against sanctioning a principle by which more than that amount might fall on any particular class.
Mr. Shaw, Lefevrethanked the hon. gent. for the attention paid by him to the convenience of a certain class of the members of that house, and suggested Monday, the 21st April, as the most convenient day after the recess for taking up the consideration of the bill.—The bill was then ordered to be read a second time to-morrow.