HC Deb 14 February 1911 vol 21 cc886-7
Mr. HORNER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state through what sources the Valuation Department in Ireland is endeavouring to gain the information, or any portion of the information, sought for in Form IV.; and what opportunities have farmers and other owners of property affected thereby of testing the accuracy of the official statements and returns or of the deductions based thereon for the purposes of taxation?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

Any necessary information not in the Valuation, Land Commission, or Local Registration of Titles Offices will be ascertained through Form IV. when the Valuation of the Urban Districts and land immediately surrounding them is being made. In the rural districts if any additional information is required it will be obtained by personal inquiry. In every case a Provisional Valuation giving details, will be issued to the owner and he will have sixty days in which to object to such valuation before the Amended Valuation is issued.

Mr. HORNER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will say how many copies of Form IV. were printed originally for distribution in Ireland; whether a second and amended edition of the form was prepared for circulation, and, if so, how many were printed and how many circulated; whether a confidential circular has been issued to the Inland Revenue officers in Ireland, who assess the duties on all documents effecting the transfer and sale of land, directing them to inquire into the same matters as those which were to be answered in either or both editions of Form IV.; and whether, until all the particulars demanded by these officials are forthcoming, the sales cannot be completed?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

3,068 copies of the original form have been issued, but none of the amended form have yet been issued. The reply to the second part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative; and the third part does not therefore arise.

Lord BALCARRES

The hon. Member has not answered the first part of the question as to the number of forms originally printed for distribution.

Mr. HOBHOUSE

There were 3,068 issued, and my information is that there was not a very much larger number printed.

Mr. NEWMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, for the purposes of ascertaining the duties on land values payable under The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, he can state how many copies of Form IV. have been issued to owners and occupiers of land and house property in Great Britain and Ireland, respectively?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

In Great Britain the number of copies of Form IV. which have been issued to owners and occupiers of land and house property to the 4th instant is 10,603,537. This figure includes some Forms III. issued to statutory companies. The number issued in Ireland is 3,068.