§ MR. WILLIAM JONES (Carnarvonshire, Arfon): On behalf of the hon. Member for Flint Boroughs I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state what were the amounts paid to persons claiming abatement on account of income tax during the financial years ending the 31st March, 1901, 1902, and 1903 respectively; and what were the amounts which such payers of income tax were entitled to receive during the same years.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. ELLIOT,) DurhamThe amounts paid to persons claiming abatement on account of income tax have been as follows: In year to 31st March, 1901, £348,933; in year to 31st March, 1902, £567,659; in year to 31st March, 1903, £778,731. The above were the amounts which such payers of income tax were entitled to receive during the same years. I may, however, 923 observe that these amounts do not represent the total relief granted to persons entitled to abatement. Such relief is granted in two ways: (a) by remission, and (b) by repayment; and the relief given by remission is some six or seven times the relief given by repayment.