HC Deb 17 May 1909 vol 5 cc15-6
Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as he gave permission to the hon. Member for Woolwich to explain to his constituents the exact position with regard to the proposed new charges on premises licensed for the retail sale of wines and spirits that were used for other purposes, and also with regard to chemists, he will now give the same information to the House of Commons?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I regret that I am unable to answer this question, as I do not even know what were the remarks of the hon. Member for Woolwich to which the right hon. Gentleman refers.

Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

I desire to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Woolwich is reported to have stated that he had the permission of Mr. Lloyd-George to make known to his constituents the exact position with regard to the proposed new charges on premises licensed for the retail sale of wines and spirits that were used for other purposes, and also with regard to chemists; I wish also to know whether the right hon. Gentleman gave such permission to the hon. Member for Woolwich, and if he did so, will he now afford to the House the information which he has given to the hon. Member for Woolwich?

Mr. WILLIAM CROOKS

I think what the right hon. Gentleman quoted is a fairly accurate report of what I said, with the exception of how they are to be assessed. I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Member for East Worcestershire and the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether they do not remember that on 10th May the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a speech in reply to this very point. I then said, "Do I understand that when the proper moment comes proper consideration will be given to grocers and chemists and that kind of tradesmen?" and the answer I received was "Yes." I then asked, "Have I your permission to say so?" and the Chancellor of the Exchequer replied, "Yes." I am only mentioning this in confirmation of what I said in my speech.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I was depending upon the newspaper reports. I gather that the hon. Member for Woolwich was only repeating information given in this House.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it is in order for an hon. Member of this House to interrogate a Minister in reference to an outside speech delivered by an irresponsible Member of this House, to whom such a question, under the rules of this House, could not be addressed personally

Mr. SPEAKER

I must decline to draw any line of distinction between responsible and irresponsible Members of this House.