HC Deb 12 July 1909 vol 7 cc1655-6
Mr. REMNANT

I desire to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Blue Paper just issued on the taxation of land, a question of which he could have had private notice. The object of the question is to request him to postpone the further circulation of this Paper until he is able to supply the information, which I suggest the House should allow me to ask for, on Part 3, dealing with the first item—the Housing Committee, 1884, one would imagine that Lord Goschen's——

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is making a speech now. If his intention is to ask a question without notice perhaps he had better put it down.

Mr. REMNANT

But the matter is urgent. I am afraid that unless you allow me to go into the matter in some detail— and I will not be very long——

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member cannot do that now.

Mr. REMNANT

May I put it in this way: May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will postpone the further circulation of this Paper until he has had inserted in it the result of the different Commissions which tell against his taxation proposals, as well as those in favour of them? At the present moment only those in favour are included, and that is calculated to give a very false impression to the country.

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I wish I had had notice of the question. I agree that the Reports against should be published, as well as those in favour. I can only tell the hon. Member what I have intimated to other hon. Members, that if there are any Reports which he thinks ought to be published I will certainly take steps to issue a second or a supplementary volume. It is of very great importance that Reports on both sides should be published, and I gave definite instructions that that should be done. If it has not been done, I will take steps at once to publish any further Reports that may be deemed necessary.

Mr. REMNANT

I am extremely grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I was quite sure it was only necessary to bring the matter to his notice. I may quote the case of the 1906 Commission; we have not got the Minority Report on that case.