§ MR. ST. AUBYNasked the First Lord of the Treasury, if he will state to the House, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to submit any proposals to Parliament in the ensuing Session on the subjects of Local Taxation and Local Government?
MR. GLADSTONEIt is certainly our intention to give our best attention and consideration to the question of local taxation and local government during the Recess, with a view and in the hope of submitting proposals to Parliament on the subject. We have been, in truth, under pledges to that effect for a considerable time. Last year my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty made an attempt towards the redemption of those pledges by the introduction of an important measure, which, however, it was impossible to proceed with, for the purpose of testing its principles and provisions, on account of the overwhelming pressure of other and even yet more urgent business, or what was deemed more urgent business, at that time. That is one reason why we should give our attention to the subject in the Recess. Another reason, stronger still, is the very decided opinion which has already been pronounced by a large majority of the House. The authority of that decision we acknowledge to this extent, at least—that we 246 ought to give our best efforts to see what can be done with a view to the improvement of the present arrangements. My hon. Friend feels a natural anxiety on the subject; but he is aware that it would not be possible for me at this period to throw any effectual light upon the nature of the proposals we shall make. Of course, we shall consider it our duty to review and consider the proposals already made, without being bound by them if reasons should appear to call either for their extension or otherwise. I cannot venture—and my hon. Friend will not ask me—to enter into detail on the subject-matter of his Question. But I may say that with respect to the guiding, governing aim we shall have in view, at any rate we shall look very much to the following points:—first of all, to the introduction of the representative principle into local institutions where that representative principle does not already obtain; secondly, to equality and justice as between the landlords and occupiers of the soil; thirdly, to equality as between the various classes of the community in respect to the aggregate contributions they make to the public burdens; fourthly, I would say, to the general economy of public administration, so that we shall not impose any charges which might be avoided, or which might be reduced; lastly, and most of all, that certainly the Government will yield to none in their anxiety, in any proposals they make, not only not to weaken, but if possible to strengthen those invaluable principles of local self-government and local self-control to which we look as among the main securities of the institutions of the country.