§ 45. Mr. MAINWARINGasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will prepare for submission to this House a return showing in tabular form the relative amount of taxation paid by cereal producers in each of the main producing countries of the world, the British Dominions, and the home country; and the amounts so paid in each of the years 1929 to 1933, inclusive?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI fear that the information is not available.
§ Mr. MAINWARINGIs it not possible to get the information asked for? I take it that the Financial Secretary will admit that such information would be of immense value to the Ministry of Agriculture in determining problems arising out of that industry?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe hon. Member will see on reflection that it would be quite impossible to obtain this information. How could we possibly tell how much direct and indirect taxation is contributed by producers of all classes, the great landlords, small tenant farmers and the rest, in every producing country in the world?
§ Mr. MAINWARINGIs it not within the hon. Gentleman's knowledge that other Governments find it exceedingly useful to make the inquiry which I suggest, for example, the United States Government?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI shall be most happy to receive from the hon. Member the information which he asks for from me.