HC Deb 22 June 1949 vol 466 cc411-3

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

Mr. Butcher (Holland with Boston)

I do not wish to detain the Committee at this hour of the morning, but I should like an explanation why in June, 1949, we are repealing a portion of an Act—and here I refer to the last enactment referred to in Part I of the Eleventh Schedule—which was passed earlier in the Session. I should be grateful if the Minister would explain how the Solicitors and Public Notaries Act, 1949, can possibly be affected in a Finance Act arranging for the abolition of excise duties on appraisers, auctioneers and plate dealers.

Mr. C. Williams

There has been a perfectly polite request to the Treasury, and I feel that the Treasury should be anxious to answer.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I think the Committee will recollect that the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated during his Budget statement that he proposed to sweep away a lot of old stamp duties of one kind or another. Among those which he proposed to abolish were those dealing with excise licences and duties on appraisers, auctioneers, house agents and plate dealers. This Clause, in association with the Eleventh Schedule, deals with the matter. If the hon. Member for Torquay (Mr. C. Williams) has any particular point to raise, perhaps it would be more appropriate to deal with it when we reach the Schedule. Generally, what we are doing is taking powers to abolish those duties.

Mr. Butcher

I am reasonableness itself, and appreciate the courtesy which the Financial Secretary has shown, but I am bound to enter some protest against the position in which the Committee finds itself. It is unusual on the first day of the Committee stage of the Finance Bill that the Committee should be without the advantage of the presence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Surely during the proceedings upon an important Measure, we are entitled to have the attendance of one of the Law Officers of the Crown. Their absence should not go unremarked and unrebuked.

Mr. C. Williams

I congratulate the Financial Secretary on having given an answer, but I have no doubt that his answer does not reply to any single one of the questions put by my hon. Friend the Member for Holland with Boston (Mr. Butcher). As I am a very reasonable person, and as the Financial Secretary has suggested that this matter should be raised on the Eleventh Schedule, I hope that by that time he will have looked up the question-book and will be able to answer then. If not, I feel sure it would be as easy to deal with it on the Report stage of the Bill.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.