HC Deb 26 March 1896 vol 39 c164
MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, under whose directions and authority the queries in the schedules annually delivered by the Inland Revenue officers to farmers, for the purpose of obtaining information as to crops, are drawn up; whether he is aware of the complaints made by the farmers that the queries are excessively minute and difficult to answer, and that they appear to be drawn up by some one with little or no knowledge of farming; why the schedules mentioned vary in form every year, and, whether he will lay upon the Table copies of the forms intended for use this year, and also copies of those used last year?

*THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Liverpool, West Derby

The schedules are drawn up under the direction of the Board of Agriculture. I am not aware that the schedules are complained of by farmers, and since 1891 the variations have been inconsiderable. I will lay upon the Table the forms asked for by the hon. Member.