§ 63. Mr. Errollasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue a general directive to Inspectors of Inland Revenue 1323 to ensure that the concession, whereby an owner-occupier is assessed under Schedule A at or about the same figure as his rating assessment, although the house has previously been assessed on a rental basis when occupied by a tenant, may be uniformly applied throughout the country.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to issue a directive of this nature. The law provides that the annual value of house property for Income Tax under Schedule A is to be determined on the basis of the yearly rent, if it is let at a rackrent, or if it is not so let, on the basis of the rent at which it is worth to be let by the year, and the application of this general rule to particular cases is a matter for the General Commissioners of Income Tax, who are an independent tribunal appointed by law.
§ Mr. ErrollIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the present system grave injustices are occurring, and will he undertake to look into the matter so that the practice may be reasonably uniform?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallIf the hon. Gentleman had listened to my reply he would know that we have no power so to do.