§ MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL (Oldham)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the Notice of Motion standing on the Order Paper for a Select Committee in respect of national expenditure†; and whether His Majesty's Government will consent to the appointment of such Committee.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy attention has been called to the Notice of Motion standing in my hon. friend's name. I confess that I think the terms are too general to make such an inquiry possible, or, if it were held, fruitful. Whether it would be worth while having a Committee to inquire whether there might not be some better machinery than exists at present for criticising Departmental expenditure, is another point upon which I do not pronounce any opinion at the present moment.
†The following is the notice referred to:—Mr. CHURCHILL: TO draw attention to the growth of public burdens; and to move, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report whether National Expenditure cannot be diminished without injury to the public service, and whether the moneys voted cannot be apportioned to better advantage than at present.
§ MR. WINSTON CHURCHILLAm I to understand that my right hon. friend is not hostile to the principle of something being done in this direction; and that supposing the proposition is put forward with a narrower reference the Government will be prepared to consider it in a favourable light?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think that probably the more prudent course would be to wait until I see the Motion of my hon. friend before giving an answer.
§ MR. WINSTON CHURCHILLWill the right hon. Gentleman give some indication to the House of what he is prepared to do?
§ [No answer was returned.]