TREASURY GRANTS (LORD MESTON'S COMMITTEE). (Hansard, 5 June 1924)

HC Deb 05 June 1924 vol 174 cc1440-1 1440

§ 34. Viscount CURZON
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Lord Meston's Committee upon percentage grants is still in being; how the Committee is composed; when it was set up; when it last sat; and when it is expected to report?

§ 35. Sir JOHN MARRIOTT
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Committee appointed in May, 1922, under the chairmanship of Lord Meston, to inquire into the method of making Treasury grants, has yet reported whether, if not, the Committee is still sitting; whether all the persons nominated to constitute it on 23rd May, 1922, are still members of it; and when it is likely to report?

§ Mr. SNOWDEN
As the answer to these questions is necessarily a long one, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

§ Sir J. MARRIOTT
Is this Committee still in being?

§ Mr. SNOWDEN
It is difficult to say either "yes" or "no." The Committee was very much depleted, owing to the fortunate or unfortunate results of two General Elections. The Chairman of the Committee, I understand, is preparing a Report.

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§ Sir J. MARRIOTT
Have any members been appointed on the Committee to take the places of those who were originally appointed, or have the original members gone on?

§ Mr. SNOWDEN
That is so; the original members have gone on.

§ Sir J. MARRIOTT
Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that the Report will presently be presented? He will realise, of course—I need not ask him if he does realise—that this was one of the most important recommendations of the Geddes Committee, and that a very large number of people are exceedingly anxious to know the result?

§ Mr. SNOWDEN
As I have already suggested, I expect a Report from the Chairman of the Committee before very long.

§ Following is the answer:

§ The Committee, which is still in being, was appointed by Treasury Minute dated 22nd May, 1922, and is constituted as follows:

The Right Hon. Lord Meston, K.C.S.I, LL.D. (Chairman).
The Right Hon. A. Henderson, M.P.
The Hon. Sidney Peel, D.S.O.
Mr. W. Graham, M.P.
Mr. John Hinds.
Mr. J. Stanley Holmes.
Mr. James Kidd.
Sir Harry Haward.

The date of the last meeting was 6th March, 1923. Difficulties have arisen owing to the fact that the two General Elections which have taken place since the Committee was set up have deprived the Committee of the services of several Members of Parliament. In the absence, therefore, of some of the Members who have taken part in the Committee's deliberations, it is hardly to be expected that the Committee will be in a position to present a Report on the lines contemplated in the terms of reference. I hope, however, that the work done by the Committee may not be altogether lost and that it may be possible for them to issue a Report dealing with questions of fact relating to the history and present position of the percentage grant system. I have been in communication with the Chairman of the Committee on this point, but I am unable at present to say when the. Committee is likely to report.