§ SIR WALTER THORBURN (Peebles and Selkirk)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view o the early expiration of the Agricultural Rating Act, it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to extend its term or 1485 alternatively to make it a permanent enactment.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) Perhaps my hon. friend will allow me to answer this Question. The period of the continuance of the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, was extended in 1901 until the 31st March, 1906, and the Government do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject during the present session.