HC Deb 14 June 1917 vol 94 cc1133-4
76. Mr. G1NNELL

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what head of exemption, if any, the funds of political parties are exempted from the payment of Income Tax; whether the Government have considered the suggestion publicly offered to them that the sources of those funds should be disclosed and their accounts audited like those of other business concerns; whether this has always been the view of some eminent statesmen; whether he will submit to the House a proposal to tax those funds retrospectively for ten years; and, if not, will he inform the House of the reason against doing this?

Mr. BONAR LAW

In reply to the first and last parts of the question, there is no such exemption from Income Tax as is suggested. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.