Sir Alfred Law: When I spoke on this subject before I remember that I was called to order several times and was not able to go on with my points. This Amendment gives me another opportunity of saying what I wanted to say on this point. The Chancellor of the Exchequer thinks that this is quite a proper tax, and it is true that 2d. makes very little difference to a large number of people; but thousands of...
Sir Alfred Law: The hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) said that he was not in favour of there being any indirect taxation. Does he, therefore, advocate that there should be some direct taxation paid by those who are now paying indirect taxation? Would he advocate a universal Income Tax? I have often heard that suggested, but if these were a universal Income Tax—
Sir Alfred Law: I will abide by your Ruling, Mr. Deputy-Speaker. Having pointed out to the hon. Member the alternative, J will leave that point. As regards that part of the Budget which deals with indirect taxation, and especially the Tea Duty, I must confess that I am rather sorry that resort has been made to an increase in the Tea Duty, because there are other means of indirect taxation which would not...
Sir Alfred Law: I was about to say that if we come to the question of the Income Tax—
Sir Alfred Law: I submit to your Ruling, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, and I only wish to say a little more about the Tea Duty. I said just now that I was rather sorry that the Chancellor had put this 2d. on tea, because there are numerous other methods of putting on indirect taxation. The hon. Member for Leigh pointed out that there were unemployed people and old age pensioners and people in receipt of widows'...
Sir Alfred Law: I am surprised at the Amendment being moved, and I cannot see any necessity for it. Surely the words of the Clause as they stand with intent to provoke a breach of the peace do not prevent any ordinary legitimate criticism. If words are used which tend to provoke or are calculated to provoke a breach of the peace the Clause, as it stands, appears to cover everything, and I think it would be...
Sir Alfred Law: I am a little surprised at the reply of the Minister. If you oblige public vehicles to have fire extinguishers, for the same reason you might compel or ask owners of private cars to have extinguishers. I dare say it will be said that you are not preventing the owner of a private car from having fire extinguishers. But you are compelling taxi-cabs and other public vehicles to carry them. It...
Sir Alfred Law: Have not the suggested by-laws to be submitted to a poll of the parents of the children, in accordance with the Education Act of 1921?
Sir Alfred Law: I do not agree with the insertion of the words "by order." Clause 2 (4) says: Any statement prepared under this Section shall, as soon as may be, be laid before Parliament. That seems to cover any objection that has been made in this Debate. I do not think that the Amendment should be pressed.
Sir Alfred Law: 21. asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the comparative figures of unemployment in the towns of Glossop and Hadfield for the last month for which figures are available, and the corresponding figure for the previous year?
Sir Alfred Law: Only three places allowed?
Sir Alfred Law: While I was not at all surprised at the method which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has adopted by the payment of this instalment of three-quarters of the tax, yet I am very much surprised at his taking Schedules E, D and B. It has been quite properly pointed out that his predecessor adopted the same system in regard to Schedule A, but that only makes this proposal all the more daring and...
Sir Alfred Law: Is not the hon. Member aware that 1919 and 1920 were very abnormal years, and that the cost of living was very much higher than it is now?
Sir Alfred Law: We have had a very interesting discussion upon this Motion. When I read the Motion I it, quite impossible to disagree with the passage which reads: To call attention to the question of rationalisation; and the sentence recognising the need for increased efficiency in British industries with a view to securing an improvement in trade and the conditions of labour. The assumption seems to be...
Sir Alfred Law: I am much obliged to the hon. Member. Again, the human element is a very important problem. The hon. Member who spoke just now said that a better understanding had come about between employers and employés, and that is vastly to the good. We do understand each other better than we did 30 or 40 years ago. No one is more anxious about the human element than I am. I quite agree with hon....
Sir Alfred Law: Also, in a company which I have in mind, employés on reaching a certain age who have been engaged long enough in the particular mill in question are given pensions—not pensions to which they have been asked to contribute, but voluntarily granted pensions for life. It is very seldom that I trouble the House with any remarks; I prefer rather to listen; but to keep silence may sometimes be...
Sir Alfred Law: The Minister, I think, has made a very good reply to the criticisms of this Clause. It must be remembered that we are not dealing with public but with private companies. I have two cases in mind. It may happen that the value of the assets of a company may be much less than the price at which the shares change hands, it may also be more, and that is the obvious reason for this Clause: to...
Sir Alfred Law: Surely that shipping company was not a private company?
Sir Alfred Law: 15. asked the Minister of Labour if she will give in round figures the number of persons on the unemployed list in the Manchester and Salford areas for the week ending 10th May, 1930, and for the comparable week of 1929?
Sir Alfred Law: 54. asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the rate of interest charged by the Public Works Loan Board on loans to local authorities for housing purposes is likely to be re (laced from £5 per centum per annum within the next one or two months?
