HC Deb 30 March 1911 vol 23 cc1530-1
Mr. BALFOUR

I should like to ask if I may with reference to this afternoon's Debate on the Revenue Bill a question of which I have sent the Financial Secretary to the Treasury private notice, and that is, whether what purports to be a copy of a letter written by the Minister for Education, appearing in the "Yorkshire Post," and which, I understand, alleges that the right hon. Gentleman is endeavouring to come to an arrangement with the Chancellor of the Exchequer by which licensed victuallers in Dewsbury will receive certain relief and nobody else, is authentic or not. It is a very important point.

Mr. HOBHOUSE

It is quite true the right hon. Gentleman courteously gave me notice, but it has only reached me within the last three or four minutes. I have no knowledge whatever either of the letter or of its contents, or whether or not it is authentic. I understand my right hon. Friend is present, and I have no doubt he will be able to satisfy the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. BALFOUR

Then perhaps our legitimate curiosity can be satisfied by that right hon. Gentleman.

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)

I am afraid I am in no more fortunate circumstances than my right hon. Friend. I only heard of the letter five minutes ago, and I am not sure what has and what has not been printed in the "Yorkshire Post." Will the right hon. Gentleman let me have a copy of the letter?

Mr. BALFOUR

Certainly. I will read it. It purports to be written to the local secretary of the Licensed Victuallers Association, and it runs as follows:— Dear Sir, The Chancellor of the Exchequer tells me it will be unnecessary for your deputation to come to London, as he agrees to accept an Amendment of the Finance Act relieving you, provided, however, that it can be done in such a way as not to make an opening for any further places to come in. I am trying to arrange this; I telegraphed to you to-day, 'Have made arrangements with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.' Yours faithfully, WALTER RUNCIMAN.

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I remember writing a letter somewhat to that effect to the secretary of the Licensed Victuallers Association in reply to a petition which they sent up to me and which they asked me to present to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he did not think there, were any other places in the same position as Stoke and Dewsbury, and I understood they were the only boroughs which had been extended at that period—at the time of the passing of the Finance Act of 1909. I conveyed to the Licensed Victuallers the message which was given to me. I cannot say that any intention was expressed on the part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer not to deal with places which in the future might be extended and which would be affected by the provisions of the Finance Act of 1909. On that I expressed no opinion at the time, and I cannot undertake to express any opinion now, but the message conveyed to me that if there were no other places in the position of Stoke and Dewsbury he had no objection to the relief being granted, and that is the message I sent down.