MR. HUMEsaid, the noble Lord the Foreign Secretary had the other night given some explanations respecting the business of the Session; but a difference of opinion existed as to what were his real intentions with regard to the income tax. The reports in the papers on the point rather differed, and he wished now to ask the noble Lord what were the real intentions of the Government—whether they meant to continue the tax in its present state for another year, or whether they intended to make any, and what, alterations?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLI am very glad, Sir, to have the opportunity of stating what I really did say on the occasion to which my hon. Friend has alluded. It has been supposed that I stated that it was the intention of the Government to propose a renewal of the tax without al- 125 teration for another year. [Mr. HUME: Hear!] What I stated was, that if the Government should introduce a Reform Bill in the course of the present year, in that case it would he necessary to propose a continuance of the income tax without any alteration for a short period. But, not taking that course, I stated that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer would immediately after Easter, on the occasion of giving the explanations of the financial year, state the intentions of the Government with respect to the income tax. I have only further to say that—until that period arrives—until the Chancellor of the Exchequer makes that statement—it is not the intention of the Government to furnish any information upon the subject.
MR. HUMEIn that case, then, he trusted the Government would have no objection to a renewal of the Committee on the Income Tax, for the purpose of completing the information, which was alleged to be defective. He would put a question on that subject on Friday.