HC Deb 21 September 1939 vol 351 cc1049-50
31. Mr. Hammersley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to ascertain the present value of the capital owned by individuals liable to Income Tax?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)

I would ask my hon. Friend to await any statement I may have to make when opening my Emergency Budget.

Mr. Hammersley

May I have the assurance of my right hon. Friend that this matter of the taxation of the growth of capital during the war will receive careful consideration and that we shall have a considered statement on the matter in due course?

Sir J. Simon

I believe my hon. Friend will appreciate that my answer showed that we have the matter under consideration.

Mr. Macquisten

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that capital goes up and down from day to day and hour to hour, and that there is no possibility of making a satisfactory calculation?