§ 45. Mr. COWANasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the tax revenue expected to be contributed by Scotland under this year's Budget amounts to 3s. 8d. per £ of income as assessed for purposes of Income Tax under Schedules A, B, D, and E, as against 3s. per £ contributed by England and Wales, being an excess of £3,000,000 per annum; whether this discrepancy, as well as the insufficiency of the amount at present allocated to Scotland for purposes of agriculture and small holdings, will be duly considered in settling the terms of the Government's proposal for establishing national self-government in Scotland; and whether, having regard to the fact that emigration from Scotland continues at an unprecedented rate, Scottish affairs will receive attention early next Session?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I must not be held to accept the assumptions contained in the first part of the question, as my hon. Friend appears to have ignored all sources of revenue except Income Tax, but in considering the matter referred to, all relevant aspects will be borne in mind. I cannot give any pledges as to the distribution of time next Session, but my hon. Friend's proposal will not be overlooked.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman not also aware that if you take account of all sums of money Scotland is contributing more than her fair share towards the Imperial Revenue?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware of it, but I am quite prepared to believe it.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to set up a Committee to look into the financial relations of Scotland in view of the contemplated Home Rule Bill?