§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of resolutions he has received from various organisations, protesting against brewers and distillers receiving relief under the De-rating Clause of the Local Government Bill?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have received resolutions of the character referred to from several organisations, and a num-2156W ber of resolutions in similar terms from individual branches of the same organisations. As I have repeatedly stated, the de-rating provisions now before Parliament are based not on any examination of the political merits or economic necessities of particular trades, but on the broad general principle that the tools and instruments of production and employment ought not to be taxed in a burdensome manner.