§ MR. BARROW (Southwark, Bermondsey)May I ask whether the statement in The Daily News is true that the Government have drafted a Bill for the equalisation of rating in London, and that it is intended to introduce it as soon as possible?
§ *MR. H. H. FOWLERI have seen the paragraph, and my answer is this: that the House has unanimously passed a Resolution, and I have given a pledge on behalf of the Government that they will endeavour to see whether a measure 1308 can be introduced carrying out the spirit of the Resolution. That question has been occupying my attention ever since, and I am happy to say that I now see my way to asking leave in a few days to introduce a Bill which will, to some extent, meet the proposal.
§ MR. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)I beg to ask whether, considering the great importance of this measure to London, the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to say that the Government will be able to take steps to insure that the House will have the opportunity of deciding on the successive stages of this measure during the present Session?
§ *MR. H. H. FOWLERIf the Government bring in a Bill it will be with the intention of asking the House to pass it. If the prospect had been hopeless, I should not have contemplated the bringing in of the Bill. I think, however, that the measure will receive fair consideration, and that there is every prospect of its being passed into law.