§ MR. CALEB WRIGHT (Lancashire, S.W., Leigh)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can lay upon the Table of the House an Estimate of the number of horses used for haulage that will be subject to the now Horse Tax; also the number of horses used for agricultural purposes that will be exempt from the Tax.
§ MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)asked, with reference to horses used for agricultural purposes, whether the right hon. Gentleman would take into consideration the case of farmers whose horses were mainly used for agricultural purposes, but occasionally for other purposes; and, whether he would make an exemption of one horse in the case of each occupier who worked his land for profit?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)When the Bill is laid before the House, hon. Members will have the opportunity of seeing to what extent the exemptions will be granted. It would be more convenient then to answer such Questions. I beg hon. Members on both sides of the House, with regard to these taxes, to consider whether they can see their way to postponing Questions for a week or 10 days, until I have had an opportunity of consulting the different deputations which I have to receive: it would facilitate any reply I have to make. In reply to the hon. Member who put the first Question, I have to say that no horse used exclusively for haulage will be subject to the new duty. By haulage, I mean the drawing of vehicles other than carriages. It is estimated that there are about 1,000,000 horses used for agricultural purposes that will be totally exempt.