§ * MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a consequence of the recent decision of the Appeal Court, that the expenses of troops employed to suppress rioting is an Imperial and not a local charge, the Government propose legislating with a view to placing such expense in future upon county councils.
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSThe question of legislation on the subject is under consideration, but the hon. Member does not accurately state the decision of the Court. It was not to the effect that the costs were an Imperial charge. The Court did not decide the point by whom the costs are payable.
§ * MR. D. A. THOMASCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the Court of Appeal did not uphold the decision of Justices Darling and Channell, which was that the expenses should be defrayed not out of local but out of Imperial funds?
* MR. J. POWELL WILLIAMSI am informed that the decision was not to that effect. It was that the local authorities were not liable. It did not say who was liable. The Court of Appeal upheld the learned judges' decision.