§ 40. Mr. ROYDSasked whether, in view of the fact that site value of agricultural land, as now being ascertained under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, is a false site value in that it is largely composed of value directly attributable to owners' improvements, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will consider the desirability of suspending the valuation of agricultural land until arrangements are made whereby the true unimproved site value of such land can be arrived at?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI do not consider it desirable to suspend the valuation of agricultural land on the assumption made by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. ROYDSWill the right hon. Gentleman say what justification there is for the expenditure of public money to ascertain site value, which is the false value, and not the true value?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. ROYDSIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to the subject on the Motion for Adjournment.
§ 54. Mr. CASSELasked what was the total number of provisional valuations made in Ireland and Great Britain, respectively, during the last financial year; and what is the reason why the number in Ireland was so small?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe number of provisional valuations made and served in Great Britain and Ireland from 1st April, 1911, to 31st March, 1912, inclusive was 1,501,174 and 5,740 respectively. Seeing that official valuations were already in existence in Ireland when the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, was passed, the same need does not exist for pressing forward with the valuation.