HC Deb 11 June 1901 vol 97 c121
MR. LAMBERT

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can say when the Bill renewing the Agricultural Rating Act will be introduced.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

I think it probable that my right hon. friend will introduce this Bill within the first half of next week.

MR. COGHILL (Stoke-upon-Trent)

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not wait until the war in South Africa is at an end before he proposes the renewal of this Act?

[As the right hon. Gentleman did not rise there were Nationalist cries of "Reply, reply."]

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As hon. Members are so keen for an answer, let me say that there is no relation between the question put by my hon. friend and the subject-matter of the question on the Paper.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Agricultural Rating Act is for the benefit of—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

AN HON. MEMBER

Where do the taxpayers come in?