§ 45. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Luxury Tax Committee is to be discussed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Report would naturally be discussed in connection with a Bill to impose the Duty. I shall state the intentions of the Government in regard to this in answer to a Private Notice question of which I have received notice to-day.
§ Mr. HOGGEWhy cannot the right hon. Gentleman give me an answer to the question that is on the Paper?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWBecause my hon. Friend has not asked the question.
§ Mr. HOGGEArising out of the answer of my right hon. Friend, can he tell us what the Government propose to do?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI will give an answer to that question later.
§ Colonel C. LOWTHERIs it not the fact that this tax is a dismal failure in France?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe French Finance Minister does not think so.
§ Mr. ACLAND(by Private Notice) asked whether the Government propose this Session to make progress with the Luxury Duty?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWDuring the Recess the preliminary steps necessary to the introduction of this Bill have been largely taken; but, in view of the present situation, I do not think that I should be justified in asking the House, at this stage of the Session, to devote the time which would be required to pass it. I have very reluctantly come to this decision. I trust, however, that the complicated and arduous work which has been performed by the members of the Select Committee—to whom I desire to express the warm thanks of the Government—will not be 281 thrown away, for I have every hope that such a tax will be included in next year's Budget.
§ Mr. PRINGLEMay I ask whether the situation to which he refers is the military situation or the political situation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI really do not think that the hon. Member with his knowledge of the House of Commons can have any doubt on the subject. At all events, the conclusion to which I came was that I could not ask the House in the present state of things to proceed with this tax.