§ MR. F. S. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the fact that Justices of the Pence in comities are ex-officio Land Tax Commissioners, that the qualification of Land Tax Commissioners in counties consists, with certain trifling exceptions, of freehold, copyhold, or leasehold property of the annual value of £100, and that the number of Land Tax Commissioners is unlimited, whether it is competent for Members to reduce or increase the number of Land Tax Commissioners named in the lists sent to them by the Clerks of the Unions, subject only to the qualification; and whether, in connection with the promised inquiry into the working of the quota system, he will also consider the desirability of doing away with the qualification?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT, Derby)I am afraid I cannot give my hon. Friend any official information, because the Government really have nothing to do with this matter, which rests entirely with the Members of the House. Still, I think some change ought to be made.
§ MR. F. S. STEVENSONAs the right hon. Gentleman says the appointments rest with Members of the House of Commons, and as Justices of the Peace are ex-officio Land Tax Commissioners, may I inquire if any Member has aright to object to the name of a Justice of the Peace?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI am sorry to say I do not know. It is not a matter with which any Government Department has to deal. Probably the Public Bill Office Authorities could tell the hon. Gentleman.