Mr. NEWDEGATEasked whether it was the intention of His Majesty's Government 810 to proceed with the clauses of the Budget dealing with minerals?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes, Sir; but, as I explained on 30th ult., in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any alternative proposals which will procure the same results.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIf the Chancellor of the Exchequer is considering any alternatives, will he take care to obtain the same economic result as well as the same financial result?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo doubt that view will be taken into consideration.
§ Lord BALCARRESDoes that answer also apply to the Increment Duty on minerals?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAnything worth considering would be considered.
§ Lord BALCARRESDoes this scheme with regard to alternative taxes yielding the same amount apply to Increment Duty as well as to ungotten minerals?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIf the Noble Lord will tell me what his scheme is, I shall be happy to answer him.
§ Sir JOHN RANDLESDoes the right hon. Gentleman wish proposals for an alternative scheme to be made by Members of the House?
§ Mr. A. J. BALFOURThe right hon. Gentleman said just now that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was prepared to consider any alternative proposal with regard to minerals, which would produce, as I understand him, the same pecuniary result. He was then asked by my Noble Friend whether that general reply referred to the Increment Duty on minerals as well as to the duty on ungotten minerals; and the reply was that the right hon. Gentleman would wait for alternative proposals. Is that all the Government have to say on the point?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI understood the Noble Lord to ask whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer would consider an alternative proposal in reference to the Increment Duty on minerals. If any alternative proposal is put forward it will be con-siderad.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation from these Benches on the subject?