MR. BAKERasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he will inform the House, by a Return or otherwise, what number of persons according to Clause 3 of c. 12 of the 13th and 14th Vic. have made use of the powers of above Act during the years 1868, 1869, and 1870, and how many of such persons were successful in obtaining an abatement from the Commissioners who made the assessment and who were appealed to; and what was the amount of each abatement, and what its proportion to the assessment?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, no doubt such a Return as the hon. Member contemplates could be made, but it would involve great trouble and expense, because it could only be made by interrogating each surveyor. I do not think, when made, it would be worth the trouble and expense, because, owing to the light taxation on this kind of property, it is notorious that the Return would be almost nil.