58. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the number of orders that have recently been made in the courts for the recovery of Income Tax; and is he prepared to place the small owner of invested capital and the weekly wage-earner on a footing of greater equality by some system of deducting the Income Tax due by the latter from his wages or salary when paid to him?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the proposal to collect the Income Tax due from weekly wage-earners by way of deduction from wages was dealt with by the Royal Commission in paragraphs 492 to 498 of their Report, with the argument and conclusion of which I find myself in agreement.
59. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of those recommendations of the Royal Commission on Income Tax dealing with the method of assessment of co-operative societies for Income Tax purposes and the discussion of these recommendations in connection, with the forthcoming Revenue Bill, he is prepared to receive a deputation of taxpayers with 1554 a view to hearing their recommendations on the subject?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Royal Commission on the Income Tax heard evidence and recommendations on this subject from numerous witnesses, including representatives of private traders as well as representatives of the co-operative societies. This evidence has been published. I do not think that a deputation could add anything material to it.
Colonel NEWMANIs it not the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has received more than one deputation respecting the co-operative societies?
60. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the total number of effective Income Tax payers under the terms of this year's Finance Act?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for the City of London on the 17th June. I am sending him a copy of that reply.