§ DR. HAZEL (West Bromwich)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will consider the advisability of allowing the payment of income-tax to be made in two equal half-yearly instalments where the income-tax payer desires it.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.My hon. friend's suggestion would mean a partial reversion to the system prevailing prior to 1869, when income-tax was payable quarterly, but was actually collected every six months. This system was found costly and complicated, and was accordingly abandoned, and I do not think its re-introduction, even in a modified form, would be desirable.