HC Deb 04 February 1904 vol 129 cc360-1
MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, when do His Majesty's Government propose to make a statement of their intentions with regard to their tariff policy; and do His Majesty's Government intend to exclude taxation on food from their programme.

* ME. AKERS DOUGLAS (for Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) said

Any statement on the subject of the Government policy had better be deferred, I think, until the return of the Prime Minister.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Will the right hon. Gentleman state that he is neither empowered on behalf of the Prime Minister to make a statement nor is he himself aware of the policy of the Government?

* MR. AKERS DOUGLAS

I am perfectly aware of the policy of the Government, but, as I have said, I think it would be more satisfactory to have a statement made by the Prime Minister.