HC Deb 20 November 1911 vol 31 cc824-5
Sir H. CARLILE

asked whether a commission of 2d. a copy was paid to the persons authorised to distribute copies of Form IV. in Ireland, as was done in connection with its distribution in England; and, if not, why the commission was not paid in Ireland?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The work in connection with the distribution of Form IV. in Ireland is done by temporary clerks who are paid a weekly wage.

Sir H. CARLILE

May I ask whether the corresponding commission was paid in Ireland under those conditions?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I have answered that question. The distribution is done by temporary clerks at a weekly wage.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the cost to the State of collecting the £650,000 paid to the Exchequer in respect of Land Values Duties since the passing of The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The cost of collecting the duties on land values cannot be distinguished from the cost of collection of Inland Revenue Duties generally. The cost of the branches which are mainly concerned with the collection of the duties in question amounts, as they are at present organised, to £16,445 per annum.

Sir C. KINLOCH - COOKE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the actual amount allocated to the collection of the Mineral Duties?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I think I have answered that question.

Mr. NEWMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the payments which have been made to land valuation officers specially appointed for the purpose of issuing and collecting preliminary returns, including forms commonly known as Forms IV. and VIII., in connection with the assessment and collection of duties payable on land values, are for the financial years ending 31st March, 1910, and 31st March, 1911, included in the figures given as including all expenses in connection with the issue of forms by the valuation staff to 30th October, 1911?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

As stated in reply to the hon. Member's question of the 15th instant, the remuneration paid to land valuation officers, amounting to £174,342 in 1910–11, and estimated at £650 for 1911–12, was not included in the figures given in answer to his question of the 9th instant, which related to the salaries of the valuation staff on 31st October, and to the cost of stationery, postage, and rent of offices, and which amounted in the aggregate to £368,680.

Mr. NEWMAN

May I ask if the £174,342 is quite extra and separate from the £380,000 mentioned before?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

£368,000.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

The right hon. Gentleman has mixed up the answer he has now given with an answer he gave in this House the other day. Surely my question, which arose out of the answer given the other day, was in order on this occasion?

Mr. SPEAKER

The statement made by the hon. Member puts him out of court. The supplementary question ought to be in order on this occasion.