HC Deb 11 April 1910 vol 16 cc882-4
Mr. FELL

asked if the Budget for the year 1910–11 will not be presented until after the spring holidays; and, if so, can he give any estimate of the losses that will be incurred through the delay in its presentation?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, I am not aware of any appreciable loss that is likely to be incurred.

Mr. FELL

asked if the Financial Resolutions leading to the Budget of 1910–11 will be brought in shortly to legalise the collections made and to be made of duties and taxes since 31st March?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I cannot yet give a date for the introduction of the Financial Resolutions for the Budget of 1910–11.

Mr. FELL

Under what authority is the Income Tax, and other taxes now being paid, collected?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I hope they will be legalised before the Budget of 1910–11.

Mr. FELL

The present collection I am asking about?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

My answer is in reference to that collection, and I hope that collection will be legalised before the Budget of 1910–11.

Mr. H. S. FOSTER

Under what authority is it being collected?

Mr. FELL

How does the Budget of last year affect the question of the present time and the present year?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

We will propose the Budget of 1910–11 in the ordinary course, but before we reach that we must legalise the collection of last year and that will be the first step.

Mr. FELL

Is not the ordinary course to bring in the Budget for the year in April?

Mr. STEEL-MAITLAND

If the Income Tax is collected voluntarily, why does the right hon. Gentleman discourage its collection in so many instances?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong in his facts. I am not discouraging it. On the contrary, I have given every encouragement to the collection of the Income Tax voluntarily paid. I have gone so far that an hon. Member on the other side put a question last week complaining that I was encouraging the collection of voluntary Income Tax in Glasgow.

Mr. STEEL-MAITLAND

May I ask—

Mr. SPEAKER

Any further questions must be put down.