§ 63. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister whether he is willing to grant an official inquiry into the practicability of a captal levy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe views of the Government on this subject have already been stated. We are anxious to secure at the earliest possible moment a decision upon the scope and practicability of a tax on war-time increases of wealth. But for reasons which were fully explained in the finance Debate the Government do not propose to enlarge the scope of reference to the proposed Committee.
§ Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister in a speech at Manchester pledged himself in favour of such an inquiry—that he was in favour of resolutions passed at a certain meeting, one of which was the inquiry into the capital levy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have heard a great deal of talk about that. [HON. MEMBERS "Read the speech!"]. I think my right hon. Friend said "to the best of his recollection." As a matter of fact, the error arose from this fact: that the Prime Minister had read an account of the first day's proceedings of the Conference, and did not remember that this body was not likely to be satisfied with one day's decision.
Major BARNESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the views of the Government in this matter have been formed as a result of any inquiry?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe whole subject was dealt with very exhaustively by members of the Government in Debate, and I cannot add anything to what was said then.