§ 25. Mr. HURDasked the Prime Minister if the Cabinet has had under consideration the decision of the House of Lords that the licence fee of 2d. per gallon imposed upon the milk exporters of Somerset, Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall by the Food Controller in 1919 was both illegal and unconstitutional, as constituting a tax on the subject which Parliament alone could exact; and whether steps are to be taken to reimburse the money thus exacted?
§ 63. Mr. AUBREY HERBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture what sum will be deducted for legal expenses from the total amount of the accumulated two-pences which are owing to the farmers of Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)Yes, Sir; this matter has been under consideration. I understand that effect will be given to the judicial decision of the House of Lords as regards the licence fee of 2d. per gallon imposed upon milk exporters of the four south-western counties, but 12 the Government will forthwith bring in a Bill, as foreshadowed by the President of the Board of Trade in his answer to the hon. Member for Wood Green of 9th March, to legalise their procedure in cases other than the milk charges during the period of control.