Mr. Goulburntook that opportunity of asking the noble Lord opposite, whether he had prepared any bill to consolidate the laws relating to the Assessed Taxes, and to the composition for Assessed Taxes? It had been the intention of the late Government to introduce such a bill, for, as the laws now stood, they were often excessively severe in their operation, especially upon innocent persons, and the delay in effecting the consolidation and amendment of the laws had exposed many persons to in convenience and unnecessary expense from the system of surcharges, which, though justified by the letter of the law, was decidedly against the spirit of it. He wished to ask the noble Lord whether, in the present Session, he should be prepared to introduce a bill to consolidate those laws? It would be a great advantage.
§ Lord Althorpagreed with the right hon. Gentleman, that it would be of great advantage to consolidate those laws. He was not aware that a bill of the kind had been prepared by the late Government. He had found no such bill in his office. With respect to the question put to him, he could only say, that he should be very glad to see a bill of the description spoken of brought forward; but he could not promise, at the moment, to give so much attention to the subject as was required to originate a Bill, although he should be happy to support one if introduced by others.
Mr. Goulburnsaid, a draft of such a bill had been prepared when he was in office, and forwarded to the Tax Commissioners in Scotland for their consideration.