HC Deb 17 May 1911 vol 25 cc1986-7
Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could state the percentage of direct and indirect taxation, respectively, for the last financial year?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

The respective percentages, based on the actual Exchequer receipts for 1910–11, are:—Direct taxation, 62.8; indirect, 37.2. But these figures are misleading, since the receipt from direct taxation is artificially swollen through the enormous arrears of 1909–10 Income Tax received last year. The percentages for the two years 1909–10 and 1910–11 taken together are: Direct, 56; indirect, 44; and these figures give a much truer indication of the comparative incidence of the two classes of taxes.

Mr. SNOWDEN

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether Stamp Duties have been included in either the direct or indirect percentage?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

I cannot say.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Will the hon. Gentleman take that into consideration in calculating the percentages?