HC Deb 11 May 1909 vol 4 cc1643-5
Mr. RENTON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the reversioner's interest is intended to be affected by the reversion tax besides the increase in the value of the land which is subject to the increment tax?

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked whether, in the event of a free licensed house, held upon lease, the whole of the increased licence duty will, under his proposals, fall upon the tenant, or whether it will fall upon the landlord?

The HON. MEMBER

further asked whether the proposed tax of 20 per cent. on increment of values will apply to a person whose business it is to deal in land, and, if so, whether such tax will be placed on the balance of income of such business at the end of the current financial year, allowing for losses made on unprofitable transactions; and whether, in assessing the income, allowance will be made for repairs, renovations, alterations, legal charges, stamp duties, office expenses, etc., incurred by the purchaser in the period between purchase and sale?

Captain CRAIG

asked whether ground partly used as a garden and partly for grazing purposes, over an acre in extent, surrounding a residence inside a town boundary, will be treated as undeveloped land and taxed accordingly, even though thousands of dwelling houses inside the town boundary are to let?

Mr. ASHLEY

asked upon what scale he proposes that licence duties should be levied in such places of amusement, not being theatres, as the Tower Palace and Winter Gardens at Blackpool, in which intoxicating liquors are sold and amusements provided within the same buildings?

Colonel LOCKWOOD

asked if the reference to theatres in the Budget Resolutions includes music halls in the same category as working under public-house licences?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

With reference to this question and those put to me by the Hon. Member for North-West Manchester, the hon. and gallant Member for East Down, the hon. Member for Blackpool, and by the right hon. Member for the Epping Division, I have already explained that I do not think it is desirable for me to deal with points of this kind until the text of the Finance Bill is in the hands of the House.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Will the right hon. Gentleman adopt the suggestion I made yesterday, and put the House in possession of the text of the Bill in a White Paper?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

It would be absolutely without precedent, though that is not absolutely conclusive, I admit; at the same time, I do not think it is possible for any Minister to circulate a Bill before the. House gives him leave to introduce it.

Mr. J. HOPE

The circulation of the Resolutions was without precedent.

Captain CRAIG

As to question 28, may I approach the right hon. Gentleman in the guise of a newspaper correspondent, and will he give me an answer?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

After several endeavours the hon. and gallant Member has got his point in at last. But may I point out to him that I never answer the questions of any newspaper correspondents in respect of matters on which I have declined to give information to the House? On the contrary, I have absolutely refused to answer questions which have been put to me repeatedly by newspaper correspondents on grounds similar to those which I have given to the House.