§ 48. Sir JOHN MARRIOTTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to announce the date of publication of the Report of the Meston Committee on Exchequer Grants?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI learn that the chairman of the Committee hopes to submit a Report before Parliament re-assembles in October.
§ Sir J. MARRIOTTWas not the last reply on this question that the Report would be submitted before we adjourned in the present Session?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI understand that the last reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman was to the effect that I hoped that before the House rose for the Recess the Report would be available. I have not been able to get it. The hon. Member will understand that the members of this Committee act quite voluntarily, and I cannot tell them to send me in a Report by a definite date. The last report which I had from the chairman was that he was drafting the Report and that he hoped to be in a position to present it before the Autumn Session.
§ Sir J. MARRIOTTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Committee held its last meeting some 18 months ago, and since then there has been ample time to report?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI cannot help being aware of that fact, because it has been stated so very often by the hon. Member, but I can add nothing to what I have said. Two General Elections have attenuated the membership of that Committee very considerably, but I hope that the Report of the chairman will be received before the House reassembles.