§ MR. JOSEPH C. BOLTON (Stirling)I wish to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the announcement made last evening of his intention to postpone the allocation of Scotland's share in the fee grant is causing considerable dissatisfaction in some parts of Scotland; and if so, whether, considering that hon. Members for Scotland have acquiesced in the postponement of that payment under the idea that it was the general wish of the people of Scotland, he will allow Scotch Members to have an opportunity of reconsidering the matter?
§ MR. HUNTER (Aberdeen, N.)Be-fore the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, I should like to ask him whether hon. Members who represent Scotland in this House have not cordially agreed in the proposal that the matter should be postponed until next Session?
§ MR. GOSCHENA communication was made to me by a right hon. Gentleman opposite, who represents a Scotch constituency, to the effect that I might take it for granted, as far as he had been able to ascertain, that the Scotch Members were quite in accord with the policy of postponing this matter until next Session. I have, however, received a telegram from one town in Scotland expressing disappointment at the postponement, but I am not sure whether that disappointment does not rest upon a misapprehension. It is stated in the telegram to which I have referred that they are afraid that the payment of the grant which they had anticipated will be postponed until next year. The House will remember that, although postponed now, it is perfectly 938 certain that the money will be voted within the present financial year, and possibly that statement may clear up and allay the apprehensions of the constituencies in Scotland upon the point. I would also say that it has been put to me that action has already been taken upon the view that the particular class of ratepayers in Scotland will receive relief. If so, that, of course, is premature, because the mere opinion of a Minister that a certain course will be taken cannot be assumed to afford a basis for administrative action. With respect to the hon. Member's question, I think that, looking at the matter from the point of view pressed upon me by hon. Members for Scotland, I cannot depart from the arrangement to postpone the subject until next Session.
§ MR. JOSEPH C. BOLTONThe telegram I have received speaks of the postponement of the Government grant until next year as a source of disappointment.