HC Deb 27 July 1910 vol 19 cc2302-3W
Mr. NEWMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any memorial or deputation from any county council or local authority asking for an allocation of one-half of the proceeds of land taxation under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, now due as promised in relief of local ratings, or in respect of the allocation of the sum to be collected under the Finance Bill, 1910; whether he can inform the House of the total sum to be allocated in relief of local rates under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and what sum he estimates will be available for a like purpose under the Finance Bill, 1910?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

My right hon. Friend has received numerous representations from local authorities on the subject. The payments to Local Taxation Accounts, etc., in 1909–10 amounted to £9,483,000, and a further sum, estimated at £245,000, would have become due in respect of that year on account of the local taxation moiety of the Land Value Duties under Section 91 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910. For this latter sum it is proposed in the present Finance Bill to substitute a special Grant to make good the decrease in the yield of Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Duties. This special Grant in respect of 1909–10 is estimated to amount to £328,000, so that local authorities will gain about £83,000 under the proposal. The total estimated amount available for payments to Local Taxation Accounts in respect of 1910–11 under the existing law is £9,585,000, and under the proposals made in the Finance Bill this is increased to £9,604,000. These figures do not include the provision for the Development and Road Improvement Funds (£580,000 in respect of 1909–10, and £1,560,000 in respect of 1910–11), which may be expected indirectly to have a considerable effect in relieving rates, nor the provision now made in pursuance of the Irish Land Act, 1909, upon Votes in respect of charges in connection with Irish Land Purchase which would otherwise have fallen upon local rates.

Mr. PRETYMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Reversion Duty will be claimed in respect of leases which determined subsequent to 30th April, 1909, but before the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Reversion Duty will not be charged in respect of leases which had in fact been determined before the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910.