Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 5 August 1924.
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?
I learn that the chairman of the Committee hopes to submit a Report before Parliament re-assembles in October.
Was not the last reply on this question that the Report would be submitted before we adjourned in the present Session?
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.
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?
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.