§ MR. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to allow to 753 owners of houses under £25 assessment a discount off the House Duty and Income Tax, as is now done by the Local Authorities with regard to the Rates, on condition that the owner pays for the whole year, whether the property is let or unlet?
§ MR. GOSCHENThere is no reason for allowing a discount "to owners of houses under £25" off House Duty and Income Tax, because House Duty is a tenant's tax and payable by him, and because an owner is only bound to allow Income Tax (Schedule A) on actual rent received; and if the house be void for any quarter, relief is afforded from the Income Tax charge under the 70th section of the Act 5 & 6 Vic., cap. 35.
§ MR. MORTONI beg, further, to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will take steps to make the assessment of property on which House Duty and Income Tax are collected the same as that used (the rateable value) by the Local Authorities, so that the assessments for Imperial and Local Taxation may be uniform?
§ MR. GOSCHENA common basis of value is an almost indispensable condition of the proposal of the hon. Member; but the whole suggestion involves Budget considerations of too great a difficulty to be dealt with in the limits of an answer across the floor of the House.