§ 27. Mr. Ridleyasked the Lord President of the Council if he will seek to alter the situation so that this honourable House may increase taxation without a Ways and Means Resolution.
§ Mr. FootThe financial procedures of the House are within the remit of the review being undertaken by the Procedure Committee. I suggest we await any proposals it may put forward.
§ Mr. RidleyDoes not the Lord President think it intolerable that a sovereign Parliament should be prevented from doing whatever it likes, including increasing taxation? In the long years of opposition that lie ahead for the Labour Party, would it not console it if it were able to indulge in its favourite sport of putting up taxation without its having to take effect?
§ Mr. FootThe much more immediate question is how the official Opposition are to make their amendments passed the other day coherent to the country. I can understand that the hon. Gentleman has put down the Question on that basis. I suggest that the best way to proceed, in changing procedure on such a matter, is for the Procedure Committee to look at it. I certainly would not exclude such a proposition.
§ Mr. GowDoes the Lord President think that it would be of particular advantage at this time if he expressed more clearly than he has done his own views on this matter? When we have a minority Government, is it not particularly important that it should be possible for the Opposition to change taxation? Will the right hon. Gentleman be more positive about this matter?
§ Mr. FootIf any Leader of the House were to propose changing this practice 26 without a reference to the Procedure Committee, he would be justly criticised. That is what I have suggested.