§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can say what proportion of the total number of persons assessed to income-tax had paid their tax before the 1st of March in 1904 and in 1905.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am advised that the figures in question 793 could not be obtained without immense labour extending over a long period and at considerable expense (as the collectors would have to be paid extra for making out the Return). I may remind the hon. Member that a Return has already been ordered on the Motion of the hon. Member for East Edinburgh, which will give the percentage of the charges collected before the 1st of March in 1904 and 1905, and this, I hope, will be sufficient.
§ MR. WHITLEYWhen may we hope for that Return?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIt asks for the figures up to March 1st in the present year, and I hope it will not be very much longer before it is presented to the House, but I cannot fix a day.