HC Deb 09 January 1913 vol 46 cc1389-90W
Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, for the sake of greater precision and the information of the agricultural public, he will give instructions that the revenue derived from Land Tax shall in future be so apportioned in the Inland Revenue Returns as to show what proportions are raised from agricultural land and buildings and from other forms of property, respectively?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

This could not be done without an expenditure of time and labour entirely disproportionate to the value of the information.

Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present amount of Income Tax derived from agricultural land and buildings and from other forms of real property, respectively; and, if this is at present impracticable owing to the form of the existing Returns, whether he will, for the sake of greater precision and public information, have the Returns for the forthcoming financial year made out in such a form as to separate such sources of revenue accordingly?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Table 119 of the last Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue gives the gross assessment on (1) agricultural land in the broad sense (including farmhouses, farm buildings, etc.), (2) houses, messuages, etc., (3) other real property, such as manors, fines, etc. The compilation of more exact Returns would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. Owing to the numerous deductions and allowances from the assessments granted by reference to the personal circumstances of the owner, the amount of tax actually paid in respect of the assessments on any particular class of real property cannot be exactly stated.