Income Tax (Schedule A)

HC Deb 19 March 1959 vol 602 cc53-4W

29. Mr. Page

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the number of claims made annually for the apportionment of an assessment under Schedule A between property which has become divided into two or more distinct occupations.

Mr. Simon

I regret that no information is available.

30. Mr. Page

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the average increase in the public local rates, taxes, and assessments which, in accordance with Section 86 of the Income Tax Act, 1952, have to be excluded in estimating the annual value of land, etc., since the last year of revaluation for the purposes of Schedule A.

Mr. Simon

The total rates received by local authorities rose from about £190 million in 1936 to £616 million in 1957, but I regret that there is no information on which to base an estimate of the amount to which Section 86 relates.

31. Mr. Page

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the saving in administrative expense on valuation, assessment, and collection which results from the fact that quarries, mines, waterworks, canals, fishings, bridges, drains, and similar property are charged to tax under Schedule D and not under Schedule A; and whether he will initiate legislation which will make all industrial property so taxable and thus pave the way to Schedule A being abolished.

Mr. Simon

I regret that no estimate can be made but my right hon. Friend has noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mrs. Braddock

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, due to the sliding scale repairs allowance used in computing the net annual value of property, some inspectors of taxes are insisting that every house in a block be examined separately to ascertain the appropriate rate, and that in the case of large property owners, this involves the taxpayer, or his accountant, in many hours of work; and whether he will consider making a concession whereby the rate of repairs allowance may be governed by the average gross annual value of the individual properties in a block of similar properties.

Mr. Simon

I am afraid I could not authorise inspectors of taxes to compute the Schedule A repairs allowance on a basis which is not in accordance with the law. If, however, the hon. Lady will let me have particulars of any case she has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.