HC Deb 09 August 1898 vol 64 cc653-4
MR. LEWIS

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that the Chairman of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation has recently stated that the Report of the Commission will not be ready for one or two years; and whether, in view of the importance and urgency of the subject, he will represent to the Chairman of the Commission the necessity of completing the evidence at the earliest date compatible with adequacy of investigation?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

My noble Friend the Chairman of the Commission informs me that he is not aware that he has made any such statement as that imputed to him in the first paragraph of the Question. With regard to the second paragraph I have to say that the Government have no right to make representations to the Commission; but I have every reason to believe that all possible expedition is being used in carrying out this very elaborate inquiry.

MR. LAMBERT (Devon, South Molton)

Can the right honourable Gentleman say when the Report will be published?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I cannot name any date. The inquiry is not completed yet.