HC Deb 26 February 1906 vol 152 cc787-8
Mr. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Report of the Redistribution Committee appointed by his predecessor last summer is of a confidential nature; and, if not, can he say whether the Committee reported in favour of forming the municipal borough of Merthyr Tydvil into a separate and single member constituency; and will the expenses incurred by the Committee come out of the public purse, and be included in the Supplementary Estimates.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) Battersea

The Committee were appointed to obtain information for the guidance of the late Government in framing a Scheme for the Redistribution of seats at Parliamentary Elections. The Report was confidential, and I am unable to give any information as to its contents. The expenses of the Committee have been defrayed out of the Vote for Temporary Commissions, and will be included in a Supplementary Estimate in respect of that Vote.

MR. D. A. THOMAS

Then what does the British taxpayer get for his money?

MR. JOHN BURNS

That may transpire on the Supplementary Estimates.

MR. CLANCY (Dublin, County N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the expediency of calling on those who ordered the inquiry and got the confidential Report to pay the cost?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I think under the circumstances it was reasonable and discreet that the document should be made confidential. Under similar circumstances I should ask that it be so regarded. It was in the public interest.

MR. CLANCY

How do we know that?