§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of Mr. Gladstone's statement in 1853 that about one twenty-second part of the income tax was then paid by professional persons, he can ascertain the corresponding fraction paid by professional persons at the present time.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThere are no statistics available that would show exactly what proportion of the income tax is paid by professional persons at the present time. But from inquiries made in the year 1895–96, it appears that in that year persons of the professional class paid about one twenty-seventh of the total sum received. It is thought that at the present time the proportion would not exceed one thirtieth.
§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)Can you ascertain the amount of income tax paid by colliery proprietors?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI cannot say, but no doubt it is very large.