§ 63. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a deputation recently presented to him a resolution of the Labour Congress demanding the imposition of a tax upon land values; and, if so, can he state the purport of his reply?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I stated yesterday, the deputation in question was not open to the Press, and I cannot undertake to give an account of it by way of question and answer.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs it not customary for Ministerial replies to be reported to the Labour organisations, and can the right hon. Gentleman say why they should not be. reported to Members of the House?
§ Mr. BON AR LAWIt has always been the habit of Ministers to receive deputations openly or privately, and there has been no new departure.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration what is done in Australia in regard to this matter.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member is asking me to do what I said I would not do—that is, to give an account of the deputation.