§ MR. RUNCIMAN (Dewsbury)I bog to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what were the total amounts of profits on shipping undertakings in the United Kingdom assessed for income tax in 1899–1900,1900–1901, 1901–2, and 1902–3, respectively.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)I am afraid that it is impossible for me to give the figures asked for. No such classification exists, and I am advised that any attempt to compile one would involve a great deal of trouble and that the results when obtained would not be accurate.
§ MR. RUNCIMANWould it not be possible to classify the profits of shipping undertakings in the same way as is done with iron works?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir I am advised it is not possible to separate the profits on shipping undertakings from those of other undertakings carried on by the same people.