HC Deb 18 February 1930 vol 235 cc1157-8
58. Lord ERSKINE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the fact that he has appointed a committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Howard Frank, to examine the possible liberation and disposal of State-owned property which may not be required for Government purposes, foreshadows a sale of any portion of the Crown lands or of any property owned by Government Departments?

61. Brigadier-General BROWN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what is the object of setting up a committee for the disposal of surplus Government properties; whether these properties are to be sold for public or private development; and whether the report of this committee will be issued as a White Paper before any action is taken on them?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

The committee referred to has been appointed to examine the present allocation of Government properties with a view to the liberation for full economic development of any properties which may not be required for Government purposes, and to the disposal of such properties to the best advantage. I am not in a position either to anticipate the findings of the committee, or to assent to the publication of their report in the manner now suggested.

Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Would the Chancellor of the Exchequer be prepared to say that, when he realises properties of this kind, the proceeds shall be treated as capital and not as revenue?

Mr. SNOWDEN

Really, I cannot be expected to answer that question until the Report of the Committee has been received, and we have considered their proposals.

Lord ERSKINE

Would it refer to Crown lands as well as to property owned by Government Departments?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I would not like to give an answer to that question. The expression used in the terms of reference is "Government properties."

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Surely, the right hon. Gentleman can tell us whether, in drawing up these terms, he meant to include Crown properties as Government properties or not? I presume that they are not included.

Mr. SNOWDEN

With the reservation that I made just now, I should say that Crown properties would not be included. What we had in mind when the terms of reference were drawn up was property in the hands of the Government, over which the Government have powers of sale or disposal or use.