HC Deb 23 April 1903 vol 121 cc349-52

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the additional Customs Duties on tobacco, beer, and spirits imposed by-Sections two, three, four, and five of The Finance Act, 1900 (including any increased Duties imposed by Section five of that Act), shall continue to be charged until the first day of August, 1904."—(Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.)—

Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

asked what were the intentions of the right hon. Gentleman with regard to the other Resolutions. There were other two which were obviously deserving of discussion—one referring to the Income Tax, and the other referring to the Sinking Fund. Although everything had been done with perfect regularity by suspending the Twelve O'clock Rule because there might be taxes to be imposed, and because it was necessary to safeguard the interest of the Exchequer, he thought it was not the usual practice at all to proceed the same night with any Resolution affecting a tax which was not of that character. The Committee had only heard to-night for the first time of the proposals with regard to these taxes, and he thought it was only due to them that they should have time to look into them cautiously and to consider what conclusion they would form upon them. Therefore he appealed to the right hon. Gentleman not to take the two Resolutions to which he referred.

Mr. RITCHIE

said he could not resist the suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman, but at the same time he thought that, having regard to the fact that there would be opportunities for full discussion of the proposals on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, he thought they might fairly expect to have these Resolutions to-night. They differed somewhat from the ordinary Resolutions to which the right hon. Gentleman referred; the Budget Resolutions as a rule were for imposing taxation, but none of these Resolutions imposed taxation Some of them proposed reductions in taxation. He was not prepared to contest the matter, and if the right hon. Gentleman pressed him not to take these two Resolutions he would consent to adopt that course.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

said the usual course was for the Chancellor of the Exchequer in laying the Budget Resolutions before the House to give his explanation of them. Of course time ought to be allowed for the consideration of the Resolutions; they ought to be subjected to careful examination. When Resolutions on the Budget were passed the same night, it was for the purpose of protecting the Exchequer. But when the Resolutions would not affect the interests of the Exchequer it was not necessary to proceed with them the same night.

MR. LOUGH

said that what was now proposed to be done was a new precedent which had only sprung up in the last year or two in the emergency of the war. He recollected quite well the time when only one Resolution was taken on the Budget. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had got that Resolution, and members of the Committee had been kept there for ten hours during which the right hon. Gentleman had done most of the talking himself. He hoped the right hon. Gentleman would not press the other Resolutions.

MR. RITCHIE

said he was very wishful to continue the discussion in the same amicable spirit in which it had been carried on, and as he did not wish to disturb the harmony of their proceedings he would agree to the request.

Whereupon Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress; and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.)

Put, and agreed to.

Resolution to be reported upon Monday next; Committee also report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.