§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the committee recently appointed to consider the relations between imperial and local taxation consists almost exclusively of officials of Government Departments and county borough authorities, and contains only one person who can properly be deemed to represent the interests of agricultural ratepayers, who are the most serious sufferers from the present incidence of local taxation; and whether, in order to ensure that the decisions of the committee shall be received with respect and confidence by every section of the community, the Government will increase the representation upon the committee of county areas and rural ratepayers?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for the Eddisbury Division last, Tuesday.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that he asked me to defer this question for three days, in order to give him an opportunity to reply?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe whole question was answered by the Prime Minister not ten minutes ago. If the hon. Member will look at the Paper to-day he will find that the whole subject has been most adequately dealt with, and I can add nothing of any value to the right hon. Gentleman's statement.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that London is not the rural districts?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEPerhaps the hon. Member does not understand that the principle which would apply to London will apply to the rural districts.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTNo, I do not.