80. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state the total revenue derived from Land Value Duties since their institution, and the total expenditure incurred in connection with the Department; what is the estimated expenditure under this head for the current year; the total number of the staff employed; and for what duties it is now proposed to employ this staff?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would refer by hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given on this subject on the 26th and 27th instant. I am causing copies of these replies to be furnished to him. The staff of the Inland Revenue Valuation Department numbers 1242, while the number of the staff engaged at head office on the assessment and collection of the three duties which it is proposed to repeal is some 25.
Sir F. HALLWill the hon. gentleman reply to the last part of the question, which apparently has not been asked by anybody else, namely, on what duties it is proposed to employ this staff?
§ Mr. BALDWINPerhaps the hon. Gentleman would refer to an answer I gave earlier, in which I stated that questions would be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Tuesday, when he is going to make a statement on this subject.
Sir F. HALLWhy are questions to be answered on Tuesday, and not the questions handed in two or three days ago for to-day?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe Chancellor of the Exchequer has been extremely occupied over the Budget for some days past, and requires some time.
§ Captain W. BENNCan the hon. Gentleman tell us if all members of the Government are united in abandoning the principle of the taxation of land values?