§ MR. PELLasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, When Her Majesty's Government desire to make the Annual Statement on Local Finance which it was understood would be considered at the same time as the Budget?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, my hon. Friend asks when we "desire" to make the Statement to which he refers in his Question. We desire, of course, to make it as soon as possible; 1910 but with regard to what we propose to do, I have some little difficulty on account of the course of Business. It is essential that we should make that Statement soon, and obtain the authority of the House for the issue of what will be necessary for next year of the Public Works Loan. If we do not obtain that authority early in July, there will be serious difficulty, because there will be no funds to carry on the works. I hope, therefore, we may be able next week—say on Thursday week—to bring forward that proposal, and I shall connect it with the Public Works Loan Bill now before the House, trusting to introduce into that Bill a clause to give us the necessary powers.
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINasked, If the Government intended to withdraw the Public Works Loan Bill now before the House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERNo; the Bill I now refer to is the annual Bill authorizing the advances of the Commissioners.