MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the County Councils have replied to his circular inquiring their views as to the Wheel and Van Tax; whether the large majority of the Councils that have replied have declared in favour of the tax; and whether he has discovered a substitute for the tax; and, if not, will he re-introduce the measure?
§ MR. GOSCHENThe hon. Member's question has revived the memory of a most equitable and much reviled tax. I have issued no circular to the County Councils. I have received a large number of memorials certainly expressing strong views in favour of the tax, but those memorials generally deal only with the Van and Wheel Tax, and do not deal with the larger question, namely, as to the licensing in regard to pleasure 1163 horses. On that point I have received no memorials. The hon. Gentleman asks whether I have discovered a substitute for the tax, and, if not, whether I will re-introduce the measure. I would remind him that the relations between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the ratepayers have now been closed, that it is for my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board to discover local taxes, and that he will be the hero or the victim of the next tax which is proposed.