Mr. PIKE PEASEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before deciding to propose his new taxes on site values, his attention was drawn to the statement made in the conclusions to the Report on Urban Ratings on Site Values, signed by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Sir E. Hamilton, Sir George Murray, and others, to the effect that there is no large undeveloped source of taxation available for local purposes, and still less for national purposes; and whether the Treasury officials still adhere to this view?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, the hon. 20 Member must be aware that it would be contrary to all precedent to make any statement in this House as to the personal views of permanent officials on subjects connected with the business of their Departments.