HC Deb 11 July 1910 vol 19 cc27-8
Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in an interview with representatives of the County Councils Association on 23rd April, he stated that it was the intention of the Government in allocating one moiety of the new Land Duties to the local authorities to apply the same to some particular purpose in the nature of a national service rather than to the general relief of rates, and that he would be glad to receive suggestions from the association as to the mode of its application; whether he is aware that circulars have been sent out by the association to the county councils asking for an expression of their opinion on the matter; and whether his request to the county councils, through the above association, is intended to be modified in consequence of the Budget statement?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The proposals made in the Budget speech with reference to the local taxation share of the Land Value Duties are intended, as I have explained, to be of temporary application only. The ultimate allocation is still unsettled, and as to this I shall be glad to receive suggestions.

Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

In view of the continued doubt as to the meaning of his Budget statement in this respect on the part of local authorities, will the right hon. Gentleman state clearly if the half of the Land Duties are intended to be devoted to the alleviation of the pressure of local taxation, as stated by him last year?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not think I can add anything usefully to what I said on Friday on that subject.