HC Deb 08 March 1922 vol 151 cc1309-10W
Sir A. HOLBROOK

asked the Home Secretary whether, in addition to the local advisory committees authorised by the Licensing Act of 1921, he has appointed an advisory council or committee at the Home Office to deal with questions of State management; if so, what are the names of the members of such council or committee; and what are their functions and responsibilities collectively and personally?

Mr. SHORTT

Yes, Sir: and the members of the council are the Secretary for Scotland and myself, the two Depart- mental representatives (namely, Sir John Pedder and Mr. P. J. Rose), and four others, Mr. Waters Butler, Mr. S. O. Nevile, Sir John Sykes, and Sir William Towle. Their functions are, collectively and personally, to assist the Secretary for Scotland and myself in the administration of the State management districts for which we have become responsible under the Licensing Act of last year.

Sir A. HOLBROOK

asked the Home Secretary whether, in pursuance of the recommendations of the Committee on National Expenditure, he will now take steps to hand over all the property and stocks held under the State management schemes to the Disposal Board for immediate realisation, and so secure to the public Exchequer the revenue arising from Income Tax and Excess Profits Duty which has been withheld by the State management; and whether he will give effect to the Committee's recommendation that no further expenditure on new purchases should be incurred?

Mr. SHORTT

The hon. Member's question appears to be founded on a misconception. So far from the taxes specified being withheld from the State, the whole of the profits of these schemes accrue to the State, including, of course, such sums as would represent the taxes in question if there were any object in calculating them. I do not read the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure as recommending that these properties should be handed over to the Disposals Board for immediate realisation —a course of action which would lead to a substantial loss of revenue to the Exchequer. The recommendation referred to in the last paragraph of the question is receiving attention in the framing of the revised Estimates.