§ MR. LEWISI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the land tax paid into the Exchequer for the years ending the 31st March, 1896, 1897, and 1898 respectively; and what is the estimated annual cost of the exemptions from land tax granted this year?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.For the year ending 31st March, 1896, £1,020,801; 1897, £916,445; 1898, £922,860. With regard to the cost of the relief granted by the Finance Bill of this Session I have given such figures as appeared to me to be probable, but it is not possible for me to give an accurate estimate, as I have no means of ascertaining precisely the number of land tax payers whose incomes are below £400 from all sources.