HC Deb 01 July 1890 vol 346 cc455-6
MR. SEXTON

I bog to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the further inquiry into the incidence of the Beer and Spirit Duties comprised in the Local Budget, which he undertook to make with a view to a Supplemental Estimate, has yet been concluded?

MR. GOSCHEN

I have not received any information on the subject, but will communicate with the Department.

MR. LENG (Dundee)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government will consider the desirability of appropriating part of the money derived from the increased duty on spirits to provide for the free postage of newspapers to places beyond the cities and towns in which they are published, or as preliminary to that arrangement of reducing the postage on all newspapers weighing less than four ounces to one farthing each copy?

*THE FIRST LORD OP THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, Westminster

I hope the hon. Gentleman will not think I am treating him with discourtesy if I repeat the same answer I have already given to a question of the same character, that Her Majesty's Government are considering the question, but are not able yet to make any statement to the House.

MR. STUART RENDEL (Montgomeryshire)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware of the unanimity of feeling existing in Wales in reference to the expenditure of the Welsh portion of the moneys to be placed at the disposal of the County Councils under the provisions of the Local Taxation Bill; and, whether, in compliance with that feeling, he is prepared to consider favourably the allocation of the whole or a portion of such moneys for the purpose of Intermediate Education in Wales and Monmouthshire, and in furtherance of the objects of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act of last Session?

*MR. W. H. SMITH

My answer is the same as that which I have given to the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Leng.)