HC Deb 06 May 1909 vol 4 cc1202-3
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the scale of licence duty at present payable in Ireland is governed by the valuation of the premises; what is the ratio of licence to valuation; what is the total amount at present received by the Revenue Department from each scale of licence duty; and what does he estimate the total revenue will amount to from each scale in his proposed new scheme, calculated at the minimum rate?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I think this refers to public-house licences?

Mr. PATRICK WHITE

Yes.

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I assume that this question has reference to public-house licences. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, subject to the provision in sub-section (7) of section 43 of the Inland Revenue Act, 1880. The existing scale of licence duties and their relation to the annual value are shown in sub-section (1) of the same section. The particulars asked for in the latter part of the question are not available.

Mr. MOONEY

Is it the fact that the system of valuation in England is to be the scale known as the Kennedy valuation; and in view of the fact that the law in Ireland as regards vested interests in licences is different, is the right hon. Gentleman going to adopt the Kennedy valuation in Ireland?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

That matter will be cleared up when the Finance Bill is introduced. I do not think it would be desirable to go into it at present.

Mr. PATRICK WHITE

If statistics were not available, on what basis did the right hon. Gentleman make his estimates? Had the right hon. Gentleman any statistics available with regard to the number of houses, and with regard to the increased revenue under the new scheme?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

As the hon. Member knows very well, it was formed on the best information available at the time. When the hon. Member asks for official statistics on a matter of this kind it is a different thing.

Mr. PATRICK WHITE

May I take it that the estimates will not be at all accurate or approach accuracy?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

That remains to be seen.