HC Deb 18 February 1914 vol 58 cc935-6
29. Mr. HUNT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the local and Imperial taxation for the upkeep of the United Kingdom comes to £300,000,000 a, year or more, he can say if this comes chiefly, if not entirely, out of the production of goods produced in the United Kingdom; and can he state, approximately, what is the local and Imperial taxation paid on the production of £100 worth of barley and of £100 worth of steel, including all local and Imperial taxes paid by landlords, farmers, labourers, employers, and workmen?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu)

My right hon. Friend has no material upon which to make the calculations which the hon. Member requires.

Mr. HUNT

Does not £300,000,000 a year come out of the pockets and wages of the people of this country, and is not that 15 per cent. on the £2,000,000,000 of our income?

Mr. MONTAGU

If I may suggest it to the hon. Gentleman, that would be a suitable subject for discussion on a Tariff Itefore debate; but on this particular point the advisers of my right hon. Friend inform him that it would be difficult or impossible to satisfy the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Is the hon. Gentleman not capable of a very simple problem in mental arithmetic?

Mr. MONTAGU

I shall be glad of the hon. Member's assistance in trying to give an answer.

Mr. F. HALL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this £300,000,000 to which reference has been made should, according to some of the supporters of the Government, been raised by the Single Tax?

Mr. HUNT

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister stated that the national and local taxation of the country constitutes a serious element in the cost of production?

Mr. MONTAGU

I was not aware of the statement until the hon. Gentleman told me.

30. Mr. HUNT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increase of taxation in the next Budget, he can see his way to providing some of the money by imposing Import Duties on the at present duty-free competing luxuries of the rich?

Mr. MONTAGU

Should the necessity foreshadowed by the hon. Member arise all relevant suggestions will be taken into consideration.

Mr. HUNT

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are still prepared by the so-called system of Free Trade, to continue no Import Duties on the luxuries of the rich, while putting heavy taxes on the necessities of the poor?