§ MR. HAZLETON (Galway, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that, according to the Income Tax Returns for the year 1903–4, there are only 2,913 persons in the United Kingdom, out of an estimated population of 41,600,091, with annual incomes of £2,000 and upwards, he will grant a Return giving the names and addresses of these 2,913 persons, with a view to the exposure of the frauds practised by some of the other persons whose names should appear in the list.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe hon. Member appears to have derived his figures from the first Table in the Return of Income Tax Assessments recently published, No. 102 of 1906. These figures do not warrant the inference he has drawn from them, as the Table does not purport to relate to the whole body of income-tax payers in the United Kingdom, but only to such as are assessed under Schedule D. Even of these the figures quoted relate to a fraction only, viz., that fraction which consists of individuals as distinct from members of firms and companies.
§ MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)suggested that fuller returns should be issued to prevent such questions being asked. [Cries of "Order, order."]