HC Deb 20 April 1910 vol 16 cc2089-90
Captain FABER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how much taxation amounted to in England in 1908 per capita and how much in Germany; and how much Germany has in her savings banks compared to England?

Mr. BARNES

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, can he tell us how much of this taxation is indirect taxation of food and how much direct taxation on property?

The CHANCELLOR of the EX-CHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd-George)

I cannot answer that without being given time to ascertain the facts. In reply to the hon. Member for West Hampshire, the total tax revenue of the United Kingdom for the financial year 1908–9 was £125,346,000, or £2 16s. 3d. per head of the estimated population as on 30th June, 1908. The amount due to depositors in the Trustee Savings Banks on 20th November, 1908, was £51,715,950, and in the Post Office Savings Bank on 31st December, 1908, £160,648,214.

I regret that I am not able to give the corresponding information in regard to tax revenue and savings banks in Germany. The revenue figures would require an analysis of Imperial and State Returns and a discrimination of the various heads of revenue into "tax" and "non-tax," which in many cases would be a matter of opinion rather than of fact. The German savings banks statistics are also very complicated.

Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

I should like to ask whether the figures referring to England refer only to Imperial taxation and not to local taxation, or whether they include local taxation?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I think they include grants towards local taxation from Imperial sources.

Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

The figures do not include the amounts which are paid by the ratepayers in this country?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

Oh, no.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

In view of the fact that this question has been asked for many times in Parliament, and that it is a matter of very acute controversy, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not be of advantage to Parliament if his Department made an analysis of such figures and supplied a correct and accurate statement?

Mr. A. F. WHYTE

Is it not a fact that the information was published last year in connection with the Budget, and that it supplies a good deal of what is asked for?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

It is information which I shall have to get from the Foreign Office. I shall certainly communicate with my right hon. Friend and do my best to get the information for the House.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman, if he prepares any information of this sort, include in his Return the amount invested by the British working classes in friendly societies?