Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the rule nisi for a mandamus obtained against the Shore-ditch assessment committee by the licensee of the "Crown and Shuttle" to insert those premises in a provisional list at a reduction equal to the increased Excise duties under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; whether he is aware that, if this is done, an increase of rates to the general ratepayer will result equal to about 4d. in the £ in Camberwell, and a reduction in the produce to the Exchequer of the land- 1614W lord's Property Tax and Inhabited House Duty will follow; and whether, in view of the inability through poverty of the Shoreditch assessment committee to incur the cost of carrying this case for final settlement to the House of Lords, he will assist the committee in this litigation by providing them with the services of the Law Officers of the Crown, or otherwise take steps to protect the interests of the Exchequer in this case?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am aware of the case referred to. As regards the effect of the new License Duties on rateable values in London, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Taunton on 7th June, 1909. I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt the suggestion made in the last part of the question.