HC Deb 10 May 1911 vol 25 cc1213-4
Mr. EDWARD O'KELLY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that numerous demands for Income Tax are being made on poor people in the union of Baltinglass and throughout all Ireland, and that in the townland of Cool-alone demands have been made on the following persons: John Elliott, labourer, having only eight statute acres, assessed at 8s. 10d.; Richard Harmon, who holds forty-one statute acres, Poor Law valuation £30 10s., assessment £1 11s. 1d.; John Hanley, a stonemason, who holds twelve and a-half statute acres, assessment 9s. 2d.; and Edward Dempsey, assessment 7s. 11d.; whether, notwithstanding the assurance given by the Secretary to the Treasury that these matters would be looked into and the practice discontinued, demands are still being made on these people, a demand having been served on one of them dated 20th April; and whether these complaints will be considered, the demands withdrawn, and the amounts paid refunded?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Wicklow East on the 1st instant. In the absence of a claim to exemption giving full particulars of the income of the person claiming exemption, and of the charges on the property, there is no justification for discharging the assessment. Inquiry will be made into the specific cases referred to; and, if claims to exemption are duly established, the demands will be withdrawn.

Mr. GEORGE TERRELL

asked what was the amount of the balances remaining unpaid for Income Tax, Schedule D, at, the end of each of the financial years 1907–8, 1908–9, 1909–10, 1910–11?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The information desired by the hon. Member is not available.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how much of the £500,000 set aside for the extension of relief to Income Tax payers under Schedule A and by Section 69 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, has been used for that purpose, and how he proposes to distribute the balance?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I beg to refer to the reply given to the hon. Member on 21st March last.