HC Deb 18 November 1930 vol 245 cc241-2
49. Lieut. - Colonel Sir GODFREY DALRYMPLE-WHITE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Finance Bill, 1930, ordered to be printed on 6th May, was not available till six days before the Second Reading; whether he has received a copy of the resolution of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce to the effect that six days afforded insufficient time for public bodies to consider its contents and place their views before local Members of Parliament for use during the Second Reading debate; and will he therefore endeavour to secure that the next Finance Bill shall be available to the public 10 clear days at least before the Second Reading?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, though I may perhaps say that the interval of six days was by no means unusually short having regard to the practice in previous years. In reply to the third part of the question, I will do my best, so far as circumstances permit, to secure that the interval shall be longer.