§ 78. Mr. Thorneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the exceptional circumstances of the time, he will make a definite statement as to whether he intends raising the Income Tax in the next Budget?
§ Captain WallaceMy right hon. Friend does not think that circumstances are sufficiently exceptional to justify any anticipation of his Budget statement.
§ Mr. ThorneIs the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that his Parliamentary Private Secretary—
§ Sir P. HarrisHis ex-Parliamentary Private Secretary.
§ Mr. Thorne—made a statement at the Oxford Tory Club on 4th March that he was prepared to lay£5 to£1 that there would be no increase in the Income Tax, and that the bookmakers made it 8 to 1?
§ Captain WallaceIn view of the fact that the hon. Gentleman referred to was not at the time Parliamentary Private Secretary to my right hon. Friend, that statement carries no more weight than if the hon. Member himself had laid the odds.
Mr. J. J. DavidsonDoes the Financial Secretary consider that it is in the best traditions of this House that such a statement should be made by an ex-member of that particular Department?
§ Captain WallaceThat seems to be hardly a matter for either the hon. Member or myself to judge.
§ Mr. ThorneHas the Financial Secretary seen the report?
§ Captain WallaceI have only seen the headline.
§ Mr. LunnAs so many statements have been made to the effect that Budget Day will be 18th April, will the Financial Secretary confirm that date or deny it?
§ Captain WallaceThat cannot be done by me.