HC Deb 20 September 1909 vol 11 cc14-5
Mr. HICKS BEACH

asked when the new Clauses relating to Schedule A of the Income Tax and to woodlands will be upon the Paper?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

As regards the first part of the question I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the discussion on Part IV. of the Bill, which is to be taken in Committee to-day. My right hon. Friend is giving his attention to the question of woodlands.

Mr. HICKS BEACH

May I ask why this Clause has not been put down before? Is it not a fact that about two months ago the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that he was going to make some change of this kind? Is it not fair to the Committee that this Clause should be on the Paper before we come to the actual discussion?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The question of woodlands is an exceedingly intricate and difficult one, and proposals were submitted to the Chancellor which came under my own observation, I think, by Friends of hon. Gentlemen opposite, which, had they been adopted, would have increased the probable cost to the estates concerned, and not diminished it, as was clearly the intention of the suggestion made to my right hon. Friend. That is the cause of the difficulty and delay.

Mr. HICKS BEACH

I was alluding to Schedule A.

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The question on the Paper is in reference to woodlands, and I thought the hon. Gentleman's question related to woodlands.

Mr. PRETYMAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer undertook a long time ago, with the general assent of the House, to bring in an Amendment himself to deal with the question of Schedule A and Schedule B? This question refers to Schedule A. Can he give no answer as to that? We are on Income Tax to-day, and I should like to ask whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is to make any statement to the Committee before we commence business as to when we are to know what the change is to be in regard to Schedule A and Schedule B?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I expect my right hon. Friend will make a statement which will be of a nature very satisfactory to hon. and gallant Gentlemen opposite.