HC Deb 05 March 1901 vol 90 c569
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the ratio of direct and indirect taxation in Great Britain and Ireland respectively.

SIR; M. HICKS BEACH

I would refer the hon. Member to House of Commons Paper 336 of 1900 (Revenue and Expenditure — England, Scotland, and Ire land), which contains full particulars of the amounts and proportions of the various heads of revenue. I should not like to bind myself to any statement of the precise ratio between direct and indirect taxation in the two countries respectively, because, as I have often explained, the division between them of the proceeds of indirect taxation cannot be considered statistically accurate.

MR. FIELD

But is it not the fact that the ratio of indirect taxation in Ireland is much higher than it is in Great Britain?

SIR. M. HICKS BEACH

That I have no doubt of.

MR. FLYNN

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear that fact in mind in preparing his Budget?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I think hon. Members take very good care that we shall not forget it.