§ Mr. CLYNESI wish to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he can make any statement regarding the Government's policy on the Reports of the Select Committee in favour of taxing war fortunes?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy right hon. Friend has not exactly described the purport of the Report to which he alludes, but I am in a position this afternoon to announce the decision of the Government. The Government, after full consideration of the Report of the Select Committee and of the respective advantages and disadvantages of the suggested scheme for a levy on war wealth, have come to the conclusion that the dangers attendant on such a levy altogether outweigh any advantages which can be derived from it. They have decided not to make any proposals, in that sense, to the House.
§ Mr. CLYNESIn view of the terms of the reply, may I ask the Leader of the House whether the House can be afforded an early opportunity of discussing this decision of the Government?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWTime is of great importance at this stage of the Session, but I am inclined to think that the House would rather like, after so much discussion of this subject, to have an opportunity of debating it, and of hearing the grounds on which we have come to that decision. If so, the sooner the better, and I will try to arrange to take it as the first Order to-morrow, on the understanding that the Debate finishes by dinner-time, if that be agreeable.