§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in preparing his Budget for the current financial year, he will consider the desirableness of seeking new sources of revenue by imposing 198 an ad valorem, Stamp Duty upon all contracts for the sale and purchase of stocks and shares, whether for investment or speculative purposes, in substitution for the Transfer Duty at present payable upon the actual transfer of securities, of taxing racing stakes and betting transactions, theatre, music hall, and other entertainment receipts, aerated waters and other non-alcoholic beverages, advertisements, titles, and foreign investments, of instituting an ad valorem receipt stamp, and of calling in to the Department of the Public Trustee all dormant cash balances and unclaimed securities in the hands of bankers?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)I shall be glad to consider these suggestions in conjunction with the various other proposals which have been brought to my notice for raising the revenue required for the financial year.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYArising out of that answer, which I have received with unvarying courtesy for the last five years, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that many of these suggested taxes already prevail in other civilised countries, and with most satisfactory results; and whether he will consider the idea of a conference between, say, four representatives of the Treasury and four men of business and financial experience?