HC Deb 28 February 1911 vol 22 cc213-4
Mr. EDWARD WOOD (for Mr. Lane-Fox)

asked what has been the cost of the valuations of land hitherto made under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and what has been the financial result to the Exchequer of the taxes based upon them?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the Noble Lord the Member for the Thirsk and Malton division of Yorkshire, and to the hon. Member for the Chelmsford division of Essex on the 13th and 8th instant, respectively.

Mr. EDWARD WOOD (for Mr. Lane-Fox)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of Form IV. have been issued; how many provisional valuations have been completed; and how many complete valuations of land have been effected under the Finance Act, 1910, up to date?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

With regard to the first part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for the Enfield Division on the 14th instant. Up to the 31st ultimo, the latest date for which figures are available, 228,786 provisional valuations have been made. As regards the third part of the question no figures are at present available.

Mr. EDWARD WOOD

What proportion do these numbers bear to the total number of Form IV.'s issued?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I cannot say offhand.

Mr. NEWMAN

asked whether, in view of a written statement of a district valuer that there was a slump in the property market in 1909, the Government will issue general instructions to their valuers to ignore this alleged condition of the market?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Hertford on the 9th instant, the principle adopted is to make every valuation on a fair and reasonable basis; and no necessity arises for the issue of instructions on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.