HC Deb 06 May 1903 vol 121 cc1581-3

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the additional Customs Duties on tobacco, beer, and spirits imposed by Sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Finance Act, 1900 (including any increased duties imposed by Section 5 of that Act), shall continue to be charged until the first day of August, nineteen hundred and four."—(Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.)

MR. J. H. LEWIS (Flint Borroughs)

expressed the opinion that it was an extraordinary circumstance that the Resolution read from the Chair should not have been printed for the information of the Committee. He agreed that it would be both improper and imprudent to print these Resolutions for the information of the Committee before the night when the Chancellor of the Exchequer made his Budget statement, because it was possible that, although they might be kept back till the right hon. Gentleman made his speech, his intentions might become known; but when these Resolution were brought forward at a later date he submitted they ought to be printed for the information of Members, in order that they might know what they were going to discuss. He applied to the Government to allow that course to be adopted in the future.

MR. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)

said he took exception to these Resolutions being taken to-day on other grounds altogether. The Prime Minister had on three occasions distinctly stated that the Budget Resolutions would be taken next week. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Thanet had asked a question on the subject this afternoon, and was then informed that these Resolutions were to be taken to-morrow, and relying on that assurance had left the House. It was a very serious departure from the procedure of the House to alter the order of business after the Leader of the House had laid down what the order was to be, and if the right hon. Gentleman persisted in proceeding he should move to report progress.

MR. RITCHIE

said, with regard to the observations of the hon. Member opposite he might say the Government were acting in accordance with precedent. He had been informed that on no occasion had such a course been pursued as was suggested by the hon. Member. With regard to the statements of the right hon. Member for Sleaford, what he understood the Prime Minister to say was that these Resolutions might be put down on Tuesday, but the right hon. Gentleman did not shut out from his mind the fact that they would be put down in their ordinary place behind the Resolution of the right hon. Colonial Secretary. Of the Resolutions now proposed the two first were not likely to lead to any debate whatever. Then came the Income Tax, upon which some discussion might take place. Whatever decision the Committee might arrive at his right hon. friend the Prime Minister was not open to the reflections which had been made by the right hon. Gentleman.

MR SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)

said there were a good many Members on both sides who desired to say something on the Resolution as to the Income Tax, before it was taken, who had now left the House. The impression left on his mind, and he believed on the whole House, by the statements of the Prime Minister was that these Resolutions would be taken to-morrow if the Second Reading of the Irish Land Bill was finished before the end of the afternoon sitting, and that if not taken then they would be taken on Tuesday next. There was certainly no suggestion that they should be taken to-day. The Member for Sleaford he was sure did not desire to cast any reflections on the Leader of the House, but it was very desirable if there was any misunderstanding on a matter of this kind, that it should be brought to an end by the Government giving way. He hoped, therefore, the Government would not press these Resolutions now.

SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge University)

said he had no special authority to speak for the right hon. Member for Thanet, but he felt bound to say that he had understood the Prime Minister to say that the Budget Resolutions would not be taken until to-morrow, and upon that understanding he had left the House.

MR. RITCHIE

said that was conclusive. If the right hon. Member for Thanet had left the House upon the understanding that these Resolutions would not be taken until to-morrow he would be sorry to take any further steps. If the Committee thought that none of the Resolutions should be taken he would withdraw them.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Committee report Progress; to sit again to-morrow.