HC Deb 28 November 1945 vol 416 cc1470-1

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

11.0 p.m.

Captain Crookshank

This Clause raises the question of the Collectors of Taxes for the City of London. This is one of the problems which exercised the Treasury to my knowledge for very many years, and if the present Chancellor and the present Financial Secretary have been able to reach a happy conclusion of this matter, they are very much to be congratulated. It is for that reason that I rise to ask whether all parties are satisfied with the compensation arrangements which are part of this Clause. If these have been satisfactorily settled with those concerned, then certainly the right hon. Gentleman is to be congratulated.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I can give the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that assurance —all parties now have at long last come to agreement in this matter and it will now be implemented in this Bill.

Mr. C. Williams

If after this long interval there has been an agreement, I think someone on the Treasury Bench who knows something about it should tell the Committee what it is all about. May we not have this explanation? I have no wish to detain the Committee, but this is a matter of great interest to me and to others, and to let it go through without explanation is not right. Quite frankly I can conceive that the Government, having come to this agreement, might not be willing to enlighten the Committee as to what it is all about. They might not wish us to be able to tell our constituents what the Government had done.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Briefly the City of London has come into line with the rest of the country so far as the taking over of the Collectors of Taxes is concerned. Previously the City of London stood out. It was felt by them then that they would prefer to go on on their own, like a lone wolf. Certain changes have since occurred and the have now, on their own initiative, desired to come into line. From now onwards, from the time this agreement is implemented, they will fall into line with the rest of the Tax Staffs throughout the country and will not, in future, go on in the old way. Compensation has to be paid and that has been agreed. I do not want to detain the Committee. But I think that what I have said does give the Committee all that the Committee may, at this stage, require to know. If however the hon. Member for Torquay(Mr. C. Williams) would like to see the full agreement I shall be very happy to meet him tomorrow and we can go through the whole thing together and he can enlighten himself to the fullest extent.

Mr. C. Williams

I must thank the Financial Secretary. There is no need for him to meet me tomorrow. I shall not keep him until then, but I would like to say that I am very glad that he has given this explanation. I understand that the statement he has made has the entire good will of the City of London and that this proposal has nothing to do with the incompetence of the Government.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 59 and 60 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Whiteley)

I beg to move, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."

Question put, and agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again Tomorrow.