§ MR. O'SHEE (Waterford, W.)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Lismore Board of Guardians and other public bodies in Ireland suggesting that, in order to facilitate the raising of money for land purchase in Ireland and to discourage landlords from obstructing the policy of purchase, a super-tax over and above the ordinary income-tax should be levied on agricultural rents in Ireland; whether he is aware that, while a large proportion of the landlords of Ireland decline to sell their estates, such a special tax on the agricultural rents received by them would go a considerable way towards making up for the losses at present incurred in the flotation of land stock and prevent inconvenience to landlords who arc willing to sell and to their tenants; and whether he will propose such a tax at the earliest opportunity.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I do not think the resolution referred to has been communicated to me; but the suggestion described in the Question is not one which, in my opinion, it would be practicable to adopt.