HC Deb 14 March 1910 vol 15 c33
Mr. LONSDALE

asked wheher the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been directed to the depreciation of the home investments of industrial assurance companies; and whether, having regard to the fact that the policy holders in these companies mainly belong to the working class, he intends to modify the Budget proposals of last year before submitting them again to the House of Commons?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

My information is that land values, to which, I presume, the hon. Member principally refers, have tended to appreciate rather than to depreciate since the introduction of the Budget.

Mr. LONSDALE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that upwards of £1,500,000 of the Prudential Assurance Company's reserve fund has been applied to writing down the home investments, the depreciation of which is attributed to taxation, or fear of taxation?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

That may be a fear of Tariff Reform.