§ MR. HERBERT LEWISI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will represent to the small Committee of experts appointed to formulate a workable scheme of Old Age Pensions the desirability of completing their work at the earliest possible date, in order that the legislation required to give effect to the scheme may be introduced early next Session; and whether, in order to provide the funds which such legislation will necessitate, proposals for the taxation of ground rents and royalties will be submitted by the Government?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I am sure the Committee will report as soon as they have concluded their labours, and will not allow those labours to be unduly protracted; but we should not hurry them on. It would be absolutely premature to consider what proposals will be submitted upon recommendations which have not yet been made.