§ VISCOUNT CURZON (Bucks, Wycombe)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government would assent to the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the incidence of taxation generally, and especially of local taxation, with a view to ascertain whether there are certain classes of property now exempt which ought to contribute to such local taxation, and whether certain properties now rated are unduly burdened?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn answer to my noble Friend, I have to say that the Government see great advantages in an inquiry into some of the points mentioned in his question. There is no doubt a great deal of ignorance prevailing upon the subject of the incidence of taxation, especially of local taxation, in the public mind; and an investigation by some competent body into the complicated facts of ownership in London, and problems arising therefrom, would, I think, be useful. It would be impossible to find the material for a Commission like that now inquiring into labour, even if the proposed investigation could conveniently be entrusted to such a body. Probably the best way will be to appoint a small body of experts with instructions to examine and analyse the facts, though not necessarily to make recommendations as to the public policy which ought to be based on the facts.
§ MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether by experts he means professional valuers and surveyors; and 1133 whether he is aware that a great number of expert witnesses on every side of the question have given evidence at great length on the subject before the Town Holdings Committee?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURBy experts I do not necessarily mean those professionally engaged in surveying or valuing land. I meant persons who have an acquaintance with practical economic investigation, which often lies at the root of all these matters. I am aware that a variety of evidence has been given on the subject before the Town Holdings Committee.