§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether it was possible to assess agricultural landowners for the purposes of Income Tax upon their actual net income, like the owners of personal property, under Schedule D; and, if not, why it is impossible?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI beg to refer the hon. Member to the remarks of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, during the Debates on this subject on the 4th May and 20th September, 1909.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill the right hon. Gentleman give me a straight answer to a straight question, as to whether this is possible?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have given a perfectly straight answer. The hon. Member will find a large number of reasons set out in these speeches. The two principal of which are: (1) That the removal of the 2191 collection may prove a source of evasion of the principle of the tax; and secondly, that there are something like two million assessments to deal with.
§ Captain SPENDER CLAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman say it is not possible in the case of agricultural land, but that it is possible in other cases?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEEverything is possible, but in some cases it is highly inconvenient.
§ Mr. GEORGE ROBERTSasked how many schemes had been sanctioned by the Development Commissioners; and the character and cost, respectively, of each such scheme?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe schemes finally sanctioned by the Treasury on the recommendation of the Development Commissioners are:—
| Forestry in Ireland | £25,000 |
| Horse breeding in Great Britain | 45,000 |
| Horse breeding in Ireland | 10,000 |
| Improvement of Scottish harbour (Stonehaven) | 13,500 |
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTHas there been a grant approved in aid of agricultural co-operation?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI must ask for notice of that.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDIs it not the fact that the grant of £10,000 for horse breeding in Ireland is an annual grant, otherwise it would be out of all proportion?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am not sure: I should like notice.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYIs it not the case that the whole grant is £40,000 and that only £5,000 is allocated for that purpose?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have given the information supplied to me. I will make further inquiry.