§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that education and the maintenance of the police are services of a national character, and that the increasing cost of these services is becoming a serious burden to local authorities, he will consider the advisability of meeting the total cost from the national Exchequer instead of simply making grants-in-aid?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is hardly possible within the limits of Parliamentary question and answer to discuss the considerations which should govern the division of the burden of such services as education and maintenance of the police between the State and local authorities, and I would refer the hon. Member to the Final Report of the Local Taxation Committee issued in 1914 (Cd. 7315), chapter V. I cannot agree that the increase in the cost of the services mentioned would furnish adequate ground for imposing the whole charge upon the already overburdened taxpayer, even if this course could be reconciled with the continuance of local administration.