§ 34. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a further statement concerning his inquiry into matters relating to the annual licence fee for motor cars.
§ Mr. DiamondNo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman must await the report of the Select Committee.
§ Sir G. NabarroI am aware of that, but has the right hon. Gentleman observed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer blundered into a damaging error in saying—it appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 3rd February last, c. 38—that the sum is never printed on a motor car licence form whereas all hon. Members know from experience that it is often printed? Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that his right hon. Friend should now retract that damaging and erroneous statement?
§ Mr. DiamondI am aware that somebody has blundered, but I would not care to say who it is.
Mr. J. T. PriceOn a point of order. May I inquire from you, Mr. Speaker, by what machinery this Question appears on the Order Paper today, when this matter is under consideration—and is, therefore, sub judice for the time being—by a Select Committee upstairs? How did it come about that facilities were given for this matter to be debated by the man concerned, the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro)?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Question itself is in order. I thought that the supplementary question and answer grew near to talking about a matter which we have referred to a Select Committee.