HC Deb 23 April 1888 vol 325 cc164-5
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can indicate, or give reference to the figures on which he calculates the contribution of Scotland to the Exchequer to be 11 per cent; and, whether, in making that calculation, he has allowed anything for property of Scotchmen held and taxed in London, as the money capital of the Kingdom, for taxable goods for Scotch consumption imported into the Port of London, and for other cases in which the inclusion of the general capital in one of the Divisions of the Kingdom may give an undue advantage to that Division in any such calculation?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)

The calculation upon which the figure of 11 per cent was based was a very complex one. I used several independent sets of figures, and checked one set by another. No doubt there was room for error in each set; but the net result, which I may say was nearer 10 than 11 percent, must approximate nearly to the truth. Of course, I am aware that duties are paid in one country on account of the other, and this fact added materially to the difficulty of the calculation. To the best of my belief, the figures I have adopted are favourable to Scotland.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

Will you put the figures in a Return?

MR. GOSCHEN

No, Sir; it will not be possible to do so.