§ 67. Mr. Thorneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that speculation is taking place on the possibilities of a rise in Income Tax in the next Budget; and what steps are being taken to prevent a leakage of any information so as to prevent such speculation?
Mr. ChamberlainI have no information which bears out the suggestion made in the first part of the question, and I would refer the hon. Member to my statement on 11th June last, in which I informed the House fully of communications which had passed between the committee of Lloyd's and myself, setting out various safeguards to be adopted to guard against illegitimate speculation in future. As regards the second part of the question, I may point out that speculation is not necessarily based on information whether obtained by leakage or otherwise, but the usual precautionary steps will of course be taken in connection with the next Budget.
§ Mr. ThorneIs the Chancellor of the Exchequer not aware that whether he increases the Income Tax or reduces it there will be speculation one way or the other?
§ Mr. MabaneIs not a rise in the Income Tax described more properly not as a speculation but as a certainty?