HC Deb 01 June 1938 vol 336 cc2063-4W
Sir W. Davison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give, in terms of sterling, the appropriate amount of taxation per head of population in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and the United States of America, respectively, on the latest available date?

Captain Wallace

In giving the following figures, I must remind my hon. Friend that calculations of taxation per head cannot be considered a reliable guide to the true burden of taxation owing to the differences between the financial systems of the countries concerned. The results are given in the currency of each country and not in sterling because rates of exchange do not in all cases give a significant comparison.

Estimated Taxation per head.
Country. Year. Taxation per head.
United Kingdom … 1938–9 £19 7s. 8d.
France* … 1938 Francs 1238.
Germany † … 1937–8 Rms. 206.
Italy‡ … 1938–9 Lire 532.
United States†§ … 1937–8 $42.74.
* Net receipts of sinking fund revenues have been taken at the actual total for 1937.
† Federal revenues only.
‡ Including net receipts from lottery.
§ Exclusive of Social Security Taxes equivalent to $4.40 per head.