HC Deb 12 July 1909 vol 7 cc1649-50
Mr. SMEATON

asked whether, under the Finance Bill, it is intended that un-gotten minerals are to be valued, and the duty paid, on the basis of the price which they would fetch if sold to-day, irrespective of the fact that they may not be gotten or sold for 50 or 100 years hence?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

If the minerals have a market value, the Finance Bill proposes that duty should be chargeable in the manner provided for by Clauses 12 and 15. I may, however, refer the hon. Member to a reply which I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomery Boroughs on the 7th instant.