§ MR. H. LAWSON (Gloucester, Cirencester)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a vast mass of evidence upon the incidence of local taxation in urban districts, together with various plans for its readjustment, is contained in the Reports of the Select Committee on Town Holdings, 1886–91; whether he is aware that the London County Council have adopted and recommended several plans for making the owners of ground values contribute towards the rates levied for permanent expenditure upon street improvements, open spaces, main drainage, and other like objects; and whether the Government will consider the expediency of appointing a small Commission, similar to that now appointed for the unification of the County and City of London, with instructions to consider and report what is the best way of making the owners of ground values contribute their fair share towards local taxation? I should also like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that, according to the Reports of the Local Government Board, urban rates have increased and are increasing at an enormous ratio year by year?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) Derbysaid, that the subject referred to in the hon. Member's question was well worthy of consideration, but he was not able to make any statement upon the subject at present.