§ MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALDI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any item has been included in the Estimates for 1907–8 covering the increased cost of collection of the income-tax entailed by the new system which he proposes to employ; and whether he can state what is the estimated increase in the cost of collection on this account.
§ MR. ASQUITHNo provision for increased cost of collection due to the changes proposed in this year's Budget was inserted in the Estimates now before Parliament, which were prepared before the Budget was introduced. It is not possible to make a complete estimate of what this increased cost will amount to, until the provisions of the Finance Bill have been finally settled by Parliament; but, when this has boon done, I will have such a statement prepared with as little delay as possible.