15 APRIL 1949, Page 5

How odd that we all, or so many of us,

have forgotten the other Sir Stafford—till Mr. George Benson recalled him on the second night of the Budget debate. The Hansard record reads thus: " Of Sir Stafford [Hon. Members: ' Order! ']—Sir Stafford [Hon. Members : ' The Chancellor.']—very well, the Chancellor, if Hon.

Members wish—it was said Nothing could justify a Minister in imposing year after year a system of taxation so demoralising and oppressive.' That was said of Sir Stafford Northcote when he increased the income tax from 3d. to id." Hansard, being a staid publication, rarely permits itself to insert [Laughter]. In this case it might almost have indulged itself. * * * *