§ MR. READsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, When the Agricultural Statistics will be collected this year; if Horses will be included in those Returns; and, if any other attempt will be made to render those Returns more comprehensive and complete, especially with regard to Live Stock; also, the estimated cost of those Statistics, and the amount of Postage included in; that sum; and, why two separate Returns in 1866 cost £10,000, while only one in the following year cost £18,000?
MR. BRIGHTSir, it is the intention of Government to collect the statistics on the same day as in previous years, the 25th of June. I believe it is not intended to take any returns of horses, for a reason which I am very sorry to state; it is, that the farmers are understood to suspect, if anything is asked about horses, that it is intended to bring upon them assessed taxes. I hope this is not true—and if it is not, I know no reason why horses should not be included—but I understand that is the reason why they 2002 have been hitherto excluded. There is great difficulty in the work which has already been undertaken, but the Board of Trade will be very glad to listen to and consider any suggestions which can be offered to them with a view to make the Returns more complete. As to the expenditure, I understand that last year the Returns were made by no fewer than 530,000 occupiers of land and owners of live stock; and not fewer than 2,400 revenue officers were employed in collecting the facts. That work was much more extensive than was expected, and much more costly; and the Inland Revenue Department this year ask for a Vote of £12,000 for the purpose of collecting the agricultural statistics. With regard to the latter part of the Question of the hon. Gentleman, the two Returns of 1866 included live stock and acreage collected at different periods, and the cost, including postage, which was £10,000, was a sum of £21,000. The postage is not an actual charge, because it is a matter of account between one Department and the other. The united Returns of 1867 cost £18,000. There is great difficulty in making out these Returns with any accuracy, and the Board of Trade will be extremely glad if the hon Member can give them any suggestion which would enable them to do what they undertake more accurately.
MR. BRIGHTsaid, that the £21,000, in 1866, included postage, and so did the £18,000 in the succeeding year; but the £12,000 would not include postage.