§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, Camlachie)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government will, during the Recess, take into consideration the desirability of reviewing the system of direct taxation now existing, with the view of adopting a graduating scale, or some other mode by which the working classes shall be relieved from the payment of an undue percentage of taxation?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) () Strand, WestminsterI have no hesitation in saying that it is the duty of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Government to review the system of taxation before the Budget of the year is introduced; but I am not able to accept the statement of the hon. Gentleman with reference to the existing incidence of taxation as a statement of fact, 470 because I am not aware that it is supported by any positive evidence.