§ 17. Sir J. D. REESasked whether it is proposed to extend the confidential land inquiry now proceeding to other forms of property, in order that the results may conduce to an equitable readjustment of taxation rather than an assault upon one interest?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe answer is in the negative. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as regards the objects of the inquiry.
§ Sir J. D. REESAre we to understand that the partial ruin of the landlords is to be regarded at present as sufficient expiation of their political opinions?
§ 20 and 21. Mr. RAWLINSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (20) whether he authorised the statement made by a Mr. Angus that a Committee has been appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to obtain information for him and for the Cabinet regarding the actual conditions of life and labour in Great Britain; and, if so, whether he will give, either now or at some later date, the names of the members of such Committee; and (21) whether any and what opportunity of reply will be given to landlords who are attacked or whose estate management is criticised in the replies to the questions which have been circulated by the Land Inquiry Committee?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI will answer the hon. and learned Member's two questions together by referring him to the replies that I gave to him yesterday. As regards the point raised in his second question, I would remind him that the object of the Committee is not to criticise individual landowners, but to obtain information regarding the land system of this country.
§ Mr. RAWLINSONWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he authorised the statement of Mr. Angus; and whether any opportunity for reply will be given to the landlords?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEWith regard to the first point, the answer which I gave is specific. The Committee was appointed at my request. As to the association represented by Mr. Angus, I do not know that I have had any direct communication with it; but Mr. Angus's statement is perfectly correct. With regard to the second part, I have given the answer. The hon. 1044 and learned Gentleman is under a misapprehension as to the purpose of the Committee. It is not to receive information for attacking individual landlords, but with a view to obtaining information regarding the conditions of housing and wages in the country. That is not an attack upon individual landlords.
§ Mr. RAWLINSONWill the landlords have an opportunity, when attacked, of answering statements made by informants, or will they never be told the answers, and have no opportunity of correcting inaccuracies?
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONMay I ask whether, in the Paper which has been issued and which has been published, questions are not asked regarding the character and conduct of individual landlords which they ought to have an opportunity of answering?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI cannot for the moment recall anything of the kind. If the hon. Member points it out to me, I shall certainly look into it. The inquiry is not for attacking landlords, but is such a one as any hon. Member might conduct for himself; not with the view of attacking anyone in particular, or even a class, but of obtaining information such as is sought very often by Government Departments as to the condition of the rural population—housing, wages, and matters of that kind.
§ Mr. RAWLINSONWill the landlords— that is the question I asked—have any opportunity of answering these questions, or will they be kept from them?
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask whether landlords have an opportunity of replying to the reports made by Medical Officers of Health when they inspect property in country districts?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGENo attack has been made on the landlords. [An HON. MEMBER: "It is not a question of attack."] That is not the question. I understand the suggestion is, if an attack is made upon a landlord, whether or not he will have an opportunity for reply. Of course he will have an opportunity for reply if any attack is made upon him.
§ Mr. RAWLINSONAssuming that the answer given to Mr. Angus is adverse to the landlord, will that answer be communicated to the landlord so that he may have an opportunity of replying to it, or 1045 will it be carefully kept from him, and will the Cabinet act on an ex parte statement?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEIf an attack is made on an individual landlord on a matter which is of sufficient importance— [HON. Members: "Oh"]—Well, really, that interruption is not fair—for the Cabinet to take cognisance of and act upon; of course, the landlord will have a full opportunity of answering it.
§ Mr. RAWLINSONHaving asked my question four times and received no satisfactory answer, I give notice that I shall bring the matter up on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI shall be happy to be here.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that there are many landlords who will be quite ready to appear before his Committee?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am very glad to hear that. Some of the very best answers we have had have come from very large landlords. If any landlord will apply we shall be very glad indeed to send him the documents.