§ 58. Lord EUSTACE PERCYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has 465 been drawn to the statement made by the Home Secretary to the effect that he would vote for the abolition of the entertainments duty; and whether this is to be regarded as an indication of the policy of the Government?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe proposals of the Government in regard to taxation in the forthcoming financial year will not be announced prior to the Budget statement, and the Home Secretary made it clear in the statement referred to that he was not speaking on behalf of the Government.
§ Lord E. PERCYThen if this is not an indication of the policy of His Majesty's Government, is it an indication of the intention of the Treasury Bench to follow the example of the Liberal party and walk into different lobbies on all the main questions that arise?
§ Mr. EDWARD WOODMay we assume, unless Ministers definitely state that they are speaking for the Government, that they are always to be taken as speaking individually?
§ Mr. SULLIVANWas it customary in the last Government for all its Members to speak with one voice?
§ Mr. PRINGLEThey had no minds.
§ Commander BELLAIRSDoes it mean that it is going to be left to a free vote of the House?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThat is not so. I said that we should make no announcement on the question until the Budget statement.