§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the gross assessment to Income Tax for the financial years ending 31st March, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, and 1921?
Lieut.-Commander YOUNGThe following statistics are available for the financial years 1912–13 to 1918–19 inclusive. Similar information for 1919–20 and 1920–21 cannot yet be given:
this sudden rise from 3s. to 6s. in the £ involves hardship upon many people with comparatively small incomes, he will consider the question of revising this scale and initiating a system whereby a sliding scale is introduced which would gradually raise the rate of Income Tax payable instead of suddenly jumping from 3s. to 6s. in the £?
1329W
Lieut.-Commander YOUNGMy hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. His question does not correctly reflect the results of the new system of graduation of the Income Tax. He will find the effects fully explained on reference to H.O. VI which was laid before this House at the time of the last Budget statement. I may add that the system of graduation accepted last summer by this House is that which was recommended by the Royal Commission on the Income Tax after a most exhaustive investigation designed to discover the fairest possible distribution of the burden of taxation.