HC Deb 13 April 1885 vol 296 cc1466-7
SIR BALDWYN LEIGHTON

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will make his promised statement as to relief of local taxation before or at the time of the Budget; and, whether, at the same time, he will consider the exemption of personalty from the equivalent of the Land Tax, as well as rates contrary to the intention of the statutes imposing the same, as also the assessment of reality under Schedule A, and houses for House Duty and Property Tax on the gross, without any equitable deduction as allowed for other property?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

In reply to the hon. Baronet I have to say, on behalf of my right hon. Friend and myself, that we cannot now undertake to make any statement as to local taxation in connection with this year's Budget. When the question of local taxation comes before Parliament on any proposal of the Government, they will, of course, have considered the incidence of the land tax as well as of other taxes or rates on real property. The latter part of the hon. Baronet's Question has been twice raised recently by my right hon. Friend the Member for the City (Mr. Hubbard), and I have nothing to add now to what I said on those occasions.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, when the Government considers the matter, they will compare the incidence of local taxation in Ireland with that of local taxation in England?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CRILDERS)

Yes, Sir. If we mate any proposal as to Irish local taxation, of course it will be compared with the incidence of such taxation in England.