§ MR. COGHILL (Stoke-upon-Trent)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is by his instructions that income-tax is being claimed on Easter offerings given in some churches to the incumbent by the congregation; and whether he will cause such practice to be discontinued.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.No, Sir, I have issued no instructions on the subject. The tax is claimed in obedience to the law.
§ MR. COGHILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that clergymen are being harassed to pay the income-tax?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe Question is of an argumentative character, but if the hon. Gentleman will refer to the Income-Tax Act, 1842, he will see that these offerings are chargeable with tax, and it is the business of the Inland Revenue authorities to collect that tax.