§ MR. WHITEHEADTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of businesses which have been assessed to income-tax on the average profits of the three years preceding the year of assessment, there are any special cases in which the liability is affected by the actual profit in the year of assessment falling short of that average; and, if so, what are those cases; whether they include the cases enumerated in the 134th section of the Act of 1842, viz., cessation from business, death, bankruptcy, and any other specific cause; whether they include any other cases than those set Out in that section; and, if so, what other cases; and what other specific causes than cessation from business, death, and bankruptcy are treated by the Inland Revenue as entitling to an abatement.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Section 134 of the Income-tax Act of 1842 provides that, where a person shall from cessation of business, death, bankruptcy, or "any other specific cause be deprived of or lose the profits or gains on which the computation of duty was charged," the District Commissioners of Taxes, on
§ ing the increase or decrease, as the case may he, in the decennial period.
§ (Answered by Mr. Runciman.)
§ application being made to them within three calendar months, may amend the assessment as the case may require and give such relief as shall be just. No general statement can ye made of what constitutes a "specific cause" within the meaning of this section, this being a matter for the District Commissioners to determine by reference to the particular circumstances of each case as it arises.