HC Deb 23 November 1888 vol 331 cc20-2
MR. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.)

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the report is true that he has added, or intends to add, Scotland to the already long list of exemptions from the proposed Van and Wheel Tax; and, whether, in redemption of his often-repeated promise to give ample Notice as to when the second reading of the Excise Duties (Local Purposes) Bill will be taken, he will now state how many days' notice of his definite intention will be given?

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

The suggestion of the hon. Member that to omit Scotland from the Excise Duties (Local Purposes) Bill would be an exemption rests on a fallacy. If the proposed taxes were intended for the Imperial Exchequer, to omit any part of Great Britain would be an exemption; but the non-application to Scotland of a measure for raising local revenue cannot be called an exemption. It might be more properly described as a denial to Scotch ratepayers of a boon offered to England. The position with regard to this Bill in Scotland is different from that existing in England. In Scotland there has never been that pressure for the relief of rates which there has been in England, and which Government after Government have promised to satisfy. No similar demand has come from Scotland; therefore we have no similar demand to satisfy. While the Representatives of large sections of ratepayers in England hold me to my promise to proceed with the Bill, no similar representations have been made to me from Scotland. Neither in England nor in Scotland would I proceed with it from mere obstinacy or amour propre. But, with regard to England, I am under a promise which, with regard to Scotland, I am not under. Notice has been given over and over again that we will proceed with the Bill directly after the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill. It is impossible to fix the time more exactly.

MR. CAUSTON

Does not the Estimate of receipts made and quoted to the House by the right hon. Gentleman include Scotland?

MR. GOSCHEN

I have made a separate Estimate for England and for Scotland. One Estimate is for both England and Scotland together, and the other for England and Scotland separately.

MR. CAUSTON

I refer to the Estimate which has been circulated by the right hon. Gentleman himself.

MR. GOSCHEN

I have not the Estimate by me at this moment, and I cannot say from memory.

MR. FIRTH (Dundee)

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has determined to exclude Scotland from the Bill?

MR. GOSCHEN

Yes, Sir. I shall be prepared to accept an Amendment excluding Scotland from the Bill.

MR. CAUSTON

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some more definite statement as to when this Bill will be taken?

MR. GOSCHEN

It will be taken at the conclusion of the consideration of the Bill which is now engaging the attention of the House.

MR. CAUSTON

That is rather indefinite, for the closure may be applied, and this Bill may be brought on quite suddenly.

MR. GOSCHEN

There is no danger whatever of this measure, in which so much interest is, I know, taken on both sides of the House, being sprung upon the House. Hon. Members can form a very accurate estimate for themselves of when the Bill will come on after the intimation that we have given.

MR. MUNDELLA (Sheffield, Brightside)

I would suggest to the right hon. Gentleman that we are at least entitled to 24 hours' Notice.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I promised the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Derby (Sir William Harcourt) that I should have something to say on this subject and the course of Business to-day, and I will shortly do so.