19. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Ashington Co-operative Society have refused to supply goods to anyone in exchange for relief tickets except their own members owing to their fear of rendering themselves liable for Income Tax if they did so; and if he will inquire into the position of persons not belonging to co-operative societies who received from Poor Law guardians tickets which are only negotiable at co-operative stores?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI hope to be able to-morrow to communicate to my hon. and gallant Friend the result of the inquiries which are being made.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIn view of the importance of this matter to the public, may I ask the Minister to communicate the result of the inquiry to the House?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf the hon. Member likes to put down another question, I shall be very glad to do so.
Sir F. HALLSupposing I put down an unstarred question on Monday, will the right hon. Gentleman answer it?
§ Mr. MACLEANIs not the practice when the Minister cannot reply to a question right away and he wishes to give the information later, to publish the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is no rule on the matter, but Ministers are always ready to meet the House in that respect. I understand that a further question is to be put down on Monday, and then the answer will be printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the general practice for the Minister, instead of stating that he will send the answer to the hon. Member, to ask him to put it down on the Paper?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is to be done, I understand.