§ MR. MORTONI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain why nearly £13,000 was spent on secret service during the year 1906–7 more than was spent the previous year, 1905–6, the figures being 1905–6 £35,427 and 1906–7 £48,411.
§ MR. ASQUITHIn making these grants under the head of "Secret Service" Parliament expressly waives its right to the explanations to which it is otherwise entitled in respect of all grants of public money, and to give such explanations would be to defeat the object of the grants.