HC Deb 01 May 1911 vol 25 cc26-7
Mr. WILLIAM PEEL

asked whether it is intended that the Committee of inquiry into the relation of local and imperial taxation shall take oral and receive documentary evidence?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

In reply to this I will refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Edinburgh on 18th April.

Mr. PEEL

asked (1) whether the Secretary to the Treasury will immediately inform the House of any offer or promise to Mr. Harper of a salaried post under Government whenever the Chancellor of the Exchequer desires to utilise his services; and (2) whether he will pledge himself not to make any offer of a post under Government to Mr. Harper until the Committee on Local Taxation has reported, in order that the latter may be able to maintain an attitude of independence as a member of the Committee and be in a position to report, if necessary, in a sense adverse to the views of the Treasury?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

In reply to this and the next question on the Paper I will refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Fulham last Wednesday.

Mr. PEEL

I wish to know whether it is not exceedingly important to the local authorities that it should be known as soon as possible whether Mr. Harper, who was appointed on this Committee, is or is not an official of the Government?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman cannot answer for local authorities. The question as to whether it is important is one for the local authorities to answer for themselves.

Mr. PEEL

Is it not important to the public as well as to the local authorities?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member can answer that for himself.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House whether any offer was made to him? That part of the question has not been answered.

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

I understand from the reply previously given, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave no pledge on the subject. Obviously it would be to the interest of everyone concerned that Mr. Harper should be in all respects able to give an unbiassed opinion. If now or at any future time such an appointment he made, it will be made public through the ordinary channels.

Mr. PEEL

Has any offer or suggestion been already made to Mr. Harper as to any post under the Government?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

To the best of my knowledge, certainly not.

Mr. ROBERT HARCOURT

Is there anything in the practice of Committees or Commissions to prevent these distinguished officials from forming their own judgment, whether employed by the Government or not?

Mr. PEEL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Harper has left a position of £1,000 a year under the London County Council, and a pension of £600; and does the hon. Gentleman suggest that he has done so merely to serve the Government?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman cannot tell what is in the mind of Mr. Harper.