§ Mr. HEDGESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the rules of the Civil Service, he will explain why the views of Sir It. Thompson in relation to the Budget have been allowed to be made public?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSESir R. Thompson received a deputation on behalf of my right hon. Friend in regard to the Land Taxes and the building trade. He was subsequently represented by one of the Members of the deputation in a letter to the Press as having made certain statements at variance with the views expressed by my right hon. Friend himself on this subject, in a letter to my hon. Friend the Member for the Tottenham Division of Middlesex. Sir It. Thompson is clearly not responsible for the publicity given to his reported remarks. My right hon. Friend also understands from him that in point of fact he did not express any opinions in any way in conflict with the views contained in my right hon. Friend's letter.