– in the House of Commons at on 16 June 1924.
Mr Carlyon Bellairs
, Maidstone
asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that Lieut.-Colonel Sir Brodrick Hartwell, Baronet, is using His Majesty's mails for the fifth occasion for the purpose of raising money to sell alcoholic liquors off the coast of the United States, whether he can now announce what steps the Government propose to take; and whether they have considered if similar action can he taken, as in the case of Mr. Edgar Speyer, who was deprived of the baronetcy and privy councillorship which ho had held?
Mr Ramsay Macdonald
, Aberavon
As has been stated on several occasions in this House, the question of measures for the suppression of activities such as those of Sir Brodrick Hartwell was carefully gone into last year. Special legislation would be necessary before His Majesty's Government could intervene in cases of this kind, but it was found extremely difficult to frame suitable legislation without imposing restrictions which would seriously hamper legitimate trade. The matter is, however, receiving further consideration by the Departments concerned. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, a Treaty has been concluded with the United States, as a result of which it is hoped that the United States Government maybe enabled effectually to deal with the smuggling of liquor. With regard to the second part of the question, it is not the fact that Sir Edgar Speyer was deprived of his baronetcy. He was deprived of his Privy Councillorship on being denaturalised.
Mr James Hope
, Sheffield Central
Are the profits of this industry assessable under Schedule D, or are they to be regarded as capital?
Mr Ramsay Macdonald
, Aberavon
That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the exchequer.
Mr Leifchild Jones
, Rushcliffe
Has the Prime Minister considered that, by some alteration in the bond into which the exporters enter, it would be possible, without any legislation, to put a stop to a good deal of this traffic?
Mr Ramsay Macdonald
, Aberavon
As the right hon. Gentleman knows, that is not an affair of the Foreign Office, but I am sure that the Departments concerned will take note of what he has said.
Mr Leifchild Jones
, Rushcliffe
If it is not an affair of the Foreign Office, is it not an affair of the Prime Minister?
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.
