HC Deb 14 June 1894 vol 25 cc1097-8
MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the dissatisfaction in a number of the colonies with the proposed new Estate Duty, and the repeatedly expressed willingness of the principal Colonial Governments to contribute their fair proportionate share to the cost of Imperial defence, Her Majesty's Government will consider the propriety of supplementing the terms of Reference to the Ottawa Conference with a view of eliciting the collective opinion of the Colonial Delegates there assembled, and devising a scheme that will be satisfactory alike to the Colonies and the Mother Country?

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask him if he is aware that already the great self-governing colonies in Australasia, British North America, and South Africa raise upwards of £3,000,000 a year for the purpose of Imperial defence as part of the British Empire?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I do not know how the items by which this £3,000,000 is made up are constituted. The question on the Paper is founded on a misapprehension. The notion that the Death Duties have any relation whatever to raising money from the colonies for national defence is entirely wrong. My remarks on that subject have been quite misunderstood. All I intended to say was that in the circumstances there was no case for an exemption. As to the other part of the question, which is not connected with the Estate Duty, the hon. Member should address that question to the Colonial Department.

SIR G. BADEN-POWELL

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government has now considered the Memorial from the Colonial Governments relative to the new Estate Duty; and whether he can lay upon the Table the text of this Memorial and of any reply thereto which he has sent?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I have read the Memorials referred to. Of course I have no objection to laying it on the Table; but what I really desire is to have a personal conference with the Representatives of the colonies, so as to arrive at a satisfactory solution of the question.