HC Deb 15 March 1906 vol 153 c1407
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the expediency of making arrangements in the forthcoming Budget to impose special taxes on deer forests, salmon fishings, and grouse moors.

MR. ASQUITH

I see no sufficient reason for taxing these particular objects of sumptuary expenditure to the exclusion of others, and any comprehensive scheme for taxing all such expenditure would be difficult to frame and still more difficult to administer. In my opinion, the object of my hon. friend, which I take to be to secure a larger proportionate contribution to the public revenue from the wealthier classes, could be more effectively secured by other means.

MR. WEIR

And here you have enormous funds waiting to be hauled into your net!