§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of farmers who have elected to be assessed for Income Tax upon their income; and the number who have elected to be assessed upon the annual value of their farms?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe precise figures are not available. An estimate has, however, been made which indicates that for the Income Tax year of assessment 1918–19 the number of farmers, with total incomes exceeding the exemption limit of £130, was approximately 200,000, and that of this number about 10,000 elected to be charged to Income Tax in respect of their farming profits on a basis of actual results. The remaining farmers were charged in the usual course under Schedule B, on the basis of twice the annual value of their farms.