HC Deb 23 March 1926 vol 193 cc1027-8
51. Mr. WEBB

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the publication of what purports to be a draft of the Report of Lord Meston's Committee on Grants-in-Aid; whether this draft has ever been circulated to or placed before the Committee; and whether he can state whether any steps are being taken to summon a meeting of this Committee?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I understand that a draft Report representing the views of the Chairman has been circulated to the members of the Committee, and that it is the intention of the Chairman to call the Committee together to consider it.

Mr. WEBB

May I ask on what date it was circulated? It had not been circulated last week.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Then it must have been a very recent date.

Mr. WEBB

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to give us any information as to how the draft came to be published in the "Times"?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, I am afraid that I am not. I am only in a position to say that I had nothing to do with it