HC Deb 30 August 1909 vol 10 cc16-7
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the total amount of Licence Duty which was paid on the 141 licensed houses acquired by the London County Council between March, 1889, and February, 1907, and what the total amount would be under the proposed scale in the Finance Bill, and what percentage would the increase of Licence Duty represent on the compensation of £344,550 paid to the owners; whether the compensation so paid represented, in addition to the value of the licence, the goodwill of the business created by the owner; and whether, after the passing of this Bill, when public authorities or other bodies seek to acquire the sites of licensed houses for public or progressive purposes, the Government will demand compensation for loss of revenue to which the State will be entitled under the Finance Bill when passed into law?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

As regards the first four parts of this question, my right hon. Friend regrets that he has no information. As regards the last part, he is afraid that he does not see his way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. P. WHITE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement said he had an account before him of the compensation paid in these cases?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

No, Sir. The Budget statement was rather a long one, and I cannot carry all these matters in my head.

Mr. P. WHITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will the estimated increase of Licence Duty, proposed by the Finance Bill, amount to in the administrative County of London calculated on half the annual value: what ratio will the estimated increase be to the total increases on Licence Duties in Great Britain; and whether he will state how much per head of the population the increase will amount to in the London area?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I assume that the hon. Member refers to publicans' licences. Any estimate of the increased yield from this Licence Duty in London on the lines suggested by the hon. Member would, I think, be misleading, as it is not proposed in the Finance Bill that the duty on all such licences should be assessed at half the annual value of the premises. Under paragraph 3 of the "Provisions applicable to retailers' on-licences," on page 53 of the Bill (as to which my right hon. Friend has placed some Amendments on the Notice Paper), the licence-holder has, in certain cases, the option of the alternative method of assessment explained in Sub-clause (2) of Clause 30, and it is not possible at present to say what the Licence Duty under this alternative will be.

Mr. P. WHITE

I think that only refers to houses valued at over £500.

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I am afraid I do not follow that. If there is any substance in it, perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question, and then I shall be glad to answer it.