§ 12. Mr. SWANasked what was the proportion of revenue raised in India by indirect taxation in the years 1899–1900, 1909–10, and 1919–20, respectively?
§ Mr. FISHERThe proportion of revenue raised by indirect taxation under the heads', Customs, Excise, Stamps and Salt, as compared with the total tax revenue in the years mentioned by my hon. Friend, is 43. 45 and 49 per cent., respectively. For this purpose revenue raised by quasi commercial undertakings of Government, such as railways, has been left out of account and Land Revenue has been treated as a direct head. The 1919–20 figure is based on the budget estimate.
Sir J. D. REESSeeing how small is the proportion of the wealthy in India to the poor is there anything analogous in the circumstances to justify any deduction as regards the relative incidence of direct and indirect taxation?
§ Mr. FISHERThat is a matter of opinion.