§ 19. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to enable the terms of the Civil List to be reviewed periodically with a view to amending legislation in order to ensure that such terms take cognizance of changed circumstances.
§ Sir E. BoyleNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HamiltonWhy not?
§ Sir E. BoyleI advise the hon. Member to read the speeches by my right hon. Friend the present Home Secretary on 9th and 15th July, 1952. They contain all the arguments on these matters.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Financial Secretary aware that some beneficiaries from the Civil List are anxious—indeed, they have expressed their willingness—to break away from the shackles of this gold-plated National Assistance Board? In those circumstances, could we not have a debate on these things so that we might lessen the impact of this cost on the Treasury, particularly at this time, when everybody else is asked to economise?
§ Sir E. BoyleI advise the hon. Member to take my advice and refresh his memory on the debates that took place on the Civil List Bill in 1952. They were much better debates than the sort of debates that the hon. Member has in mind.