§ 58. Mr. Errollasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that the Government have no intention of introducing a capital levy.
61. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the recent advocacy of a capital levy by supporters of the Government, with its consequent discouragement of thrift, is likely to have an adverse effect on the National Savings Campaign; and if he will make it clear that the Government have no intention of taking confiscatory action of this nature.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe hon. Member cannot expect me to deal in advance with matters of budgetary policy.
§ Mr. StanleyDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise, in this particular instance, how impossible these rumours are going to make the task of those of us who are asked and who wish to support the National Savings Movement?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am very sorry, but that does not make it any more possible to forecast budgetary policy.
§ Major BruceIs it not a fact that, in the opinion of the Parliamentary Committee which sat upon this subject, the introduction of a single levy would have no possible effect whatever on National Savings?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am quite aware of that.
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaitePending the introduction of the Budget, can the Chancellor assure the House that the 33 rumours on this subject have no greater foundation than the utterances of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury during the last week?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo greater foundation, in fact, than any other rumours.