§ MR. HARMOOD-BANNER (Liverpool, Everton)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to guarantee the local authorities from any diminution of income arising under the heads of Local Exchequer Accounts and Grants-in-Aid under the now scheme for the abolition of Grants-in-Aid and Local Exchequer contributions; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of taking over the cost of police and other expenditure which was imposed on the local authorities when the Grants-in-Aid and Exchequer contributions were allotted.
§ MR. ASQUITHNo, Sir. I am not proposing to make any alteration in the amount payable to the local taxation account, which will continue to be equal to the yield from year to year of the duties now assigned to that account at their present rates. The change is entirely without prejudice to the question of future adjustments as between local funds and the Exchequer with respect to the cost of services of the kind referred to in the latter part of the Question. That question does not arise upon the present proposals, and it remains to be dealt with upon its merits, when opportunity arises.