§ Mr. GEORGE YOUNGERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to state the amount of licence duty demanded in Scotland on 28th May last, as compared with the amount that would have been exigible under the old scale, or, if the complete figures are not yet available, whether he can give typical instances in any localities?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)I regret that I cannot give the information asked for by the hon. Member. I cannot give complete figures for Scotland or any part of the United Kingdom until the annual licence values of hotels and restaurants and of public-houses and beerhouses of an annual value exceeding £500 have been determined in cases where the licence-holders exercise the option of being charged by reference to annual licence value. To give incomplete figures for the whole area or complete figures in selected cases would, I think, be misleading.
§ Mr. GEORGE YOUNGERWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to let us have those figures both for England and Scotland before the House reassembles in November?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI will consider that.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, arising out of that, whether he has it in contemplation to make any concession to licence-holders in England and Scotland similar to that he has made by Order in Council to licence-holders in Ireland?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI have already answered that question in reply to the hon. Members for Ayr Burghs. I am proceeding with a revaluation in this country, but the method of valuation is totally different in Ireland. I have got to await the result of that revaluation.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIs the right hon. Gentleman going to have a revaluation in Ireland in connection with the concession he has made to the licence holders there by Order in Council?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGENo. In Ireland, as the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well, there is a national valuation, and there is not here. It is a totally different thing.
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONWhen he speaks of this country, does the right hon. Gentleman include Scotland as well?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI would not dare to do otherwise.
§ Mr. G. YOUNGERIn the event of his discovering that the £2,100,000 which he expected to get out of those licences will be exceeded, will he consider the particular point raised by my right hon. Friend?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThat is a hypothetical question which involves very serious consequences, and I shall have to consider it very seriously.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINAre we to have an opportunity before the House adjourns for the Recess of discussing the alteration he has made by Order in Council for the valuation settled by this House in the case of the public-houses in Ireland?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGECertainly; the right hon. Gentleman can discuss it this very day if he wants.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGECertainly, on the Appropriation Bill, and I shall be quite willing to meet him.