Clause 9. — (Advertising expenses.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Finance Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 3 December 1947.

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Photo of Hon. Oliver Stanley Hon. Oliver Stanley , Bristol West 12:00, 3 December 1947

I am sure all of us on this side, and perhaps those on the other side of the Committee who are not geographically situated with the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher), will congratulate the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the decision he has taken. We thank him for the infanticide which has been carried out so painlessly and with so much decision. Of course, the right hon. and learned Member had the advantage that it was not his own infant. It was just laid on his doorstep, and it is only fair to him to say that since he assumed office he has never omitted to show his aversion to this unwanted pledge of someone else's affection. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Well, it may be somebody else's dislike. When he withdrew it, I was reminded of the old epitaph in the church on an infant who suffered demise at just about the same age as this proposal: If so soon I was to be done for,I wonder what I was begun for. With all our gratitude at the end of this proposal, we are entitled to ask, why was it ever begun?