§ Brigadier-General Sir OWEN THOMASasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the present rise of 6s. per week in the wages of agricultural labourers, the fall in prices of farm produce, and the increase in cost of agricultural implements, transport, and rates, together constituting a serious outlook for the farmer, he can now see his way to reduce the present basis of farmer's Income Tax to the pre-war basis?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI regret I am unable to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. It is, of course, open to a farmer to elect to be assessed under Schedule D instead of Schedule B, in which case his actual profits are assessed on the ordinary three years average, or to appeal at the end of the year for a reduction of the Schedule B assessment to the amount of his actual profits for that year.