§ Mr. Stokesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why rent is exempt from Excess Profits Tax; and whether he is aware that farmers earning excess profits are easily compelled to pay higher rents rather than Excess Profits Tax, the increase of rent going free of Excess Profits Tax to the landlord and thus being lost to the Treasury?
§ Sir K. WoodI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his previous Question on this subject on 5th August last. I have no evidence to support his statement with regard to farmers in the second part of the Question.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in order to avoid payment of Excess Profits Tax the habit of buying up land at high prices is on the increase; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this?
§ Sir K. WoodI have no evidence that persons are buying up land at high prices in order to avoid payment of Excess Profits Tax, but if my hon. Friend has any definite evidence to this effect and will let me have particulars I will look into the matter.