§ 67. Mr. LEONARD LYLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, assuming the acceptance of the present Budget proposals, he will state the per capita percentage of direct taxation in April, 1914, and April 1920, respectively, in Great Britain, France, Italy, and the United States?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI will publish the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I may say that I give the figures with all reserve, and guard myself against being held responsible for any inference which my hon. Friend or anyone else may draw.
§ The following is the reply promised:
§ As the financial proposals of other countries for the current year are not yet available, a precise comparison cannot be made.
§ The following approximate figures are based on actual receipts of revenue in the last pre-War financial year and in the last closed financial year.
| Currency has been converted at par. | ||||
| — | Year ended. | Average amount of direct taxes per head. | ||
| £ | s. | d. | ||
| United Kingdom | 31–3–1914 | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| 31–3–1920 | 15 | 3 | 0 | |
| France | 31–12–1913 | 13 | 6 | |
| 31–12–1919 | 2 | 7 | 0 | |
| Italy | 30–6–1914 | 12 | 6 | |
| 30–6–1919 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| U.S.A | 30–6–1914 | 3 | 0 | |
| 30–6–1919 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
§ The direct taxes taken into account are for the United Kingdom, Income Tax (including Super-tax), Excess Profits Duty, and Death Duties, and for the other countries the immediately corresponding taxes.
§ Under the Budget proposals the amount of direct taxation per head of the population of the United Kingdom will be £14 7s. in 1920–21.
§ I give these figures with all reserve, and wish to guard myself against being held responsible for any inferences which my hon. Friend or others may draw from them.