§ Mr. GEORGE YOUNGERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the promised reduction in the basis of rental valuation upon which Licence Duty is to be charged on houses 865 of over £50 of annual value in Ireland until the register of licence values is completed, he is considering the grant of equivalent treatment to houses of similar value in England and Scotland where the annual rental values are fixed on a much higher scale than the unreduced valuation in Ireland?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAs I explained to the hon. Member in the reply which I gave him on this subject on the 14th instant, the valuation of licensed premises in Ireland rests on an entirely different basis to that in England and Scotland. The Finance Act of last year provides for a new valuation being made in respect of these latter countries, and this is being proceeded with at the present time.
§ Mr. G. YOUNGERDoes the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is the third concession he has made to Ireland? I do not complain of it for a moment. The first was——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put what he wants in the form of a question. This is not the time for argument.
§ Mr. G. YOUNGERI beg your pardon. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the time has come to reconsider the question of valuation in England and Scotland?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAs I have already explained, not only has the time come, but we actually provided in the Finance Bill last year that the question of value should be reconsidered, and it is being reconsidered at the present moment.
§ Mr. G. YOUNGERCan the right hon. Gentleman assure me that steps are being taken to proceed with the revaluation?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGECertainly. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have been discussing it this morning. It is being proceeded with at this present moment. I agree it is very important to reconsider it.