HC Deb 28 July 1903 vol 126 cc550-1
MR. MANSFIELD

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury does the inquiry into the fiscal policy of this country involve the Departments concerned in any additional expense; and. if so, when will the House have an opportunity of discussing the administration of those Departments in relation to the inquiry.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I apprehend there will be no occasion for a supplementary Estimate.

MR. MANSFIELD

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury will he state which of the Government Departments are directly concerned in the inquiry into the fiscal policy of this country; and will he also say to which Departments information may be sent, and from which Department information can now he given as to the particulars which the Government are anxious to secure evidence upon.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As I have already mentioned, in answer, I think, to the hon. Member for the Ruslichfle Division, † the Departments concerned are the Board of Trade and the Customs and Inland Revenue. Correspondence on this as on any other subject should, I think, be addressed to the Parliamentary heads of the Departments. As to the third part of the Question, I have nothing to add to previous statements I have made.