§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the proposal of the Committee on National Expenditure to abolish the system of percentage grants to local authorities in connection with education, police, and other services will have as its effect not the reduction of expenditure, but merely the transference of a larger proportion of the cost of these services from the taxpayer to the ratepayer; and whether, in view of the defects of the existing system of rating, he is prepared to suspend action upon this recommendation pending a public inquiry into the relation between central and local finance?
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§ Sir R. HORNEI propose to make a statement next week on this and other matters arising from the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure.