HC Deb 29 January 1918 vol 101 cc1436-7
47. Mr. DUNDAS WHITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the Report of the Inland Revenue Commissioners for the year ended 31st March, 1916 (following in this respect their previous Annual Reports) showed in the table on page 57 that the aggregate total value of land in Great Britain included in provisional valuations made under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, to 31st March, 1916, amounted to £5,267,784,055, and the aggregate total value of minerals included in these provisional valuations to that date was £8,264,223, and as the corresponding tables are omitted from the newly-issued Report of the Commissioners for the year ended 31st March, 1917, for the reasons there given, he will state the aggregate total value of land in Great Britain included in these valuations up to 31st March, 1917, and the aggregate total value of minerals included in these valuations up to this date?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The figure of the aggregate total value of land in Great Britain included in the provisional valuations up to 31st March, 1917, is not available. The increase over the total shown for the previous year would, however, cc insignificant. The aggregate total value of minerals included in provisional valuations to 31st March, 1917, is £9,372,711.

Mr. WHITE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the first figures have not yet been ascertained?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes; that was my answer.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

In view of the fact that this is an incomplete valuation, the value being given at over £5,267,000, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he still holds that there is no money to be got out of land taxation before having a match tax?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have stated the facts.