§ SIR J. LUBBOCK (London University)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the great importance to the commerce of London that the approach to the Tower Bridge and other urgent improvements should be commenced at once, and to the desirability of securing as early as possible additional work for the unemployed in London, he will reconsider his decision not to assent to the appointment of a Joint Committee with the Lords to consider the whole question of betterment?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTThe right hon. Gentleman's question contains a preamble and a conclusion, and I fail to recognise the connection between the two. The Preamble refers to a certain Bill which has been sent up from this House to the House of Lords. The Bill contained a clause called the Betterment Clause, and it was struck out after a discussion on the question of betterment in the other House. The Bill came back to this House, and the Amendment of the Lords was rejected. But the Lords insisted on the Amendment, and I understand it is impossible that the clause should now be reinstated in that Bill. Nothing can, therefore, be done by a Joint Committee to affect that clause and that Bill. The Government are asked whether they will reconsider the decision as to the appointment of a Joint Committee to consider the whole question. The only answer to that is the one given by the Prime Minister the other day—namely, that the Government do not see the advantage of such a Joint Committee.