HC Deb 11 July 1924 vol 175 cc2696-7

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill requires very little explanation, as it is in the nature of a hardy annual in this House. As the House knows, the Isle of Man enjoys a separate financial existence, and usually about May the Manx Legislature passes certain Resolutions regarding Customs duties, which require the assent of the Imperial Parliament. The Resolutions themselves have force for only about six months, and, of course, if they were allowed to expire, that would lead to considerable difficulty. In this case the Resolutions were passed about the end of May, and we have now produced the usual Bill to give effect to them in the Imperial Parliament. I need not detain the House by a longer explanation, as most hon. Members are familiar with the nature of this Bill that comes up from year to year.

Mr. REMER

I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman a question which has puzzled me for some time, and that is as to why it is that the taxes in the Isle of Man, particularly Income Tax, are lower than in England. I understand that their Income Tax is 1s. in the £, as against 4s. 6d. here. Can the hon. Gentleman give us any explanation of that point?

Mr. DEPUTY - SPEAKER (Mr. Entwistle)

That is not in order on this Bill.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a Second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House will immediately resolve itself into the Committee on the Bill.—[Mr. Graham.]

Mr. HOPE

Is this not one of those Bills which ought to have a separate day fixed for the Committee stage?

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly considered in Committee, and reported, without Amendment; to be read the Third time upon Monday next, 14th July.