MR. KEIR-HARDIEI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he contemplates, in connection with the Budget proposals for next year, such a re-arrangement of the system of taxation as is known as a graduated Income Tax, by means of which the contributions to the Revenue, local and Imperial, would bear a relative proportion to income, and thus afford a much-needed relief to wage-earners and persons of small income; also whether he will make such provision in the Budget Estimates for next year as would enable the Local Government Board to make grants to any Board of Guardians, Town or County Council, or committee of responsible citizens willing to acquire land or other property, and undertake the responsibility of organising the unemployed in Home Colonies, and affording them the opportunity of providing the necessaries of life for themselves and those dependent on them?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTTo these two questions I am afraid I must say that the time has not yet come when I can divulge the secrets of the Budget.