§ MR. BIDDELLasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he was aware that a Suffolk farmer, who paid a rent of £500 a year for a farm, subject to a tithe of £120 and rates of £50 a year, would pay an income tax of £7 6s. 11d. while a Midlothian farmer, holding a farm of like value, and subject to similar outgoings, would pay but £6 6s. 8d.; and, whether he will remedy the inequality of the former thus paying fifteen per cent, more than the Scotch farmer by reducing the tax upon the English farmer?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)Sir, in reply to the hon. Member, I have to inform him that the calculation contained in his Question is substantially correct. Ever since the re-imposition of the Income Tax in 1842 it has been the theory that 1730 in England a farmer's profits may be reckoned at one-half the assessed value of his farm, and in Scotland at one-third. But a farmer who does not realize the profits assessed may, under the provisions of the law, appeal to the district Commissioners of Income Tax, and, on proof to their satisfaction of loss, he can obtain repayment.