HC Deb 09 December 1926 vol 200 cc2276-8
42. Mr. MARDY JONES

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will furnish particulars of the gross assessment to Income Tax for the year ending the 5th April, 1924, separately for the 13 counties of Wales including Monmouthshire, under Schedules A and B, indicating lands, houses, and other property, each separately?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)

I regret that this information is not available, as statistics of the Income Tax relating to separate counties are no longer collected.

Mr. JONES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the people in the Principality of Wales are anxious to know exactly what they contribute as a nation?

We have our own reasons for asking this question, and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider it.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Is it not a fact that these particulars were given in returns prior to the War?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think that is perfectly true, but owing to a general desire for economy a number of returns have been, after careful consideration, I believe, with the aid of a Committee of this House, suppressed.

Mr. JONES

I wish to press the Chancellor of the Exchequer in this matter, because in Wales we attach great importance to it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

43. The hon. Member also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the annual value of the properties and profits or gross income assessed to Income Tax in the years ending 5th April, 1913, 5th April, 1914, 5th April, 1923, 5th April, 1924, and 5th April, 1925, respectively, for Scotland, England, excluding Monmouthshire, and Wales, including Monmouthshire, showing separately the amounts under each of the five schedules, as stated in the Return presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 6th May, 1913?

Mr. CHURCHILL

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the desired particulars for England, Wales and Scotland separately for the years

Year. Schedule. Gross Income brought under review in—
England (excluding Monmouthshire). Wales (including Monmouthshire). Scotland.
£ £ £
1912–13 Schedule A 225,352,914 11,958,171 27,164,397
Schedule B 11,179,019 1,110,149 1,912,842
Schedule C 49,473,242
Schedule D 533,756,606 17,382,103 60,408,996
Schedule E 116,611,580 3,269,653 10,397,809
Total 936,373,361 33,720,076 99,884,044
1913–14 Schedule A 227,592,129 12,164,660 27,385,157
Schedule B 11,242,909 1,111,213 1,912,120
Schedule C 50,334,234
Schedule D 569,902,688 18,497,721 64,529,608
Schedule E 125,191,648 3,672,415 11,100,140
Total 984,263,608 35,446,009 104,927,025

1912–13 and 1913–14. I am unable to furnish similar details for the post-War years, as the present statistics of the Income Tax do not distinguish Wales separately from England; but the hon. Member will find in the 67th and 68th Reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue details for England and Wales taken together, and for Scotland for the years ended 5th April, 1923 and 1924.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why Wales is treated differently in this matter from Scotland?

Mr. CHURCHILL

All this is evidently the result of decisions which have been taken since the War and with which decisions I am sure the House of Commons, in one form or another, have been associated. Of course, if there was a general desire to reopen the topic on the part of a number of hon. Members, naturally it would be our desire to consider that wish.

Commander WILLIAMS

Have the Welsh people shown any desire to bear the additional cost involved?

Mr. MARDY JONES

There is no evidence that there would be additional cost. Is it not a fact that Wales has contributed more than its fair share of taxation?

Mr. CHURCHILL

As these matters are veiled at present in the mystery of a joint return, I am unable to say whether that is so, but I think it is very unlikely.

Following is the table promised: