Lord Broughamwished to put a question to the noble Duke on the subject of the Income-tax, to which he desired to have an answer before the holydays. That tax, as he had argued a year and a half ago, was only to 482 be justified by its necessity. In this point of view he rejoiced at the great amount the tax appeared to have produced, because the more it yielded the sooner would they be in a situation to think of getting rid of it. The right hon. Baronet at the head of the Government had estimated its produce at 3,700,000l. He had at the time been inclined to estimate it at nearer 6,700,000l. He now found, however, that even that was an under estimate, as the tax appeared, according to the return for the last quarter, to be likely to yield 7,600,000l. or 7,500,000l. Now, what he wanted to ascertain was whether they might take the last quarter as a fair aver age for the year, or whether it contained any portion of the two quarters immediately preceding it. He wished for an answer before the holydays.
§ The Duke of Wellingtonsaid he would make inquiry.
§ Lord Wharncliffesaid he apprehended that the last quarter to which the noble and learned lord had referred did in fact contain the half year's tax, but a consider able portion of the last part of the half year was not yet paid up. He spoke, however, in the rough, and without being particularly informed upon the point.
§ Their Lordships adjourned.