§ Mr. BONAR LAWMay I ask the Prime Minister whether he has given further consideration to the suggestion I made a few days ago that there should be an inquiry into the financial management of the India Office, and if he can make any statement, about it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe suggestion, I think, was that it should be referred to a Select Committee. I do not see my way at this stage of the Session to set up a Select Committee to inquire into the subject raised in the right hon. Gentleman's question. I would suggest, however, that the more satisfactory plan would be for the Government to give a day early next Session, if desired, to inquire into the matters referred to in connection with the administration of the India Office, and in regard to the material facts already before the House. If the right hon. Gentleman and his Friends should then consider further inquiry is necessary, I should be quite prepared to consider the desirability of setting up a Select Committee.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI understand the right hon. Gentleman means, not next Session, but on our resumption after the holidays?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, next Session.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWSurely it is in the interests of everybody, including the Government, that a question of this kind should be discussed, and that the information should not have to be extracted, as if we were drawing teeth, by question after question!
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am very sorry the right hon. Gentleman uses that phrase. No one desires an investigation more than the India Office. [An HON. MEMBER: "Let us have it then."] I want to have it, but under more satisfactory conditions, and if the right hon. Gentleman, when we return, persists in asking for a day we will give him one.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat, of course, is quite satisfactory, but I hope the right hon. Gentleman does not mean that we shall only have a day by moving a Vote of Censure, which I do not in the least wish to do.