Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons am ar 5 Awst 1924.
Sir John Marriott
, City of York
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he is now in a position to announce the date of publication of the Report of the Meston Committee on Exchequer Grants?
Mr Philip Snowden
, Colne Valley
I learn that the chairman of the Committee hopes to submit a Report before Parliament re-assembles in October.
Sir John Marriott
, City of York
Was not the last reply on this question that the Report would be submitted before we adjourned in the present Session?
Mr Philip Snowden
, Colne Valley
I understand that the last reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman was to the effect that I hoped that before the House rose for the Recess the Report would be available. I have not been able to get it. The hon. Member will understand that the members of this Committee act quite voluntarily, and I cannot tell them to send me in a Report by a definite date. The last report which I had from the chairman was that he was drafting the Report and that he hoped to be in a position to present it before the Autumn Session.
Sir John Marriott
, City of York
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Committee held its last meeting some 18 months ago, and since then there has been ample time to report?
Mr Philip Snowden
, Colne Valley
I cannot help being aware of that fact, because it has been stated so very often by the hon. Member, but I can add nothing to what I have said. Two General Elections have attenuated the membership of that Committee very considerably, but I hope that the Report of the chairman will be received before the House reassembles.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
