HC Deb 15 July 1915 vol 73 cc1111-3

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That a sum, not exceeding £145,000, be granted His Majesty, to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1916, for special Grants in Aid of certain Universities, Colleges, Medical Schools, and Agricultural Institutions, to meet loss of Income arising during the War."

Mr. KING

This is a very important Vote. It is all new, that is to say, there was no corresponding Vote last year. Anyone who studies the modicum of information given to us will observe that this is to help or support these universities, colleges, medical schools, and agricultural institutions, because they have been adversely affected by the War. When we are giving a large sum like this to those who are adversely affected by the War, I think we must have some explanation. Everybody, more or less, is adversely affected by the War. Though, personally, I myself desire to see education less adversely suffering from the War than any other Department of our Administration, yet I do think we should have some explanation when we are voting £145,000 in a few seconds. We ought to know how this is going to be administered; who are going to get it; whether it is proposed to continue this Vote, and what conditions are made in connection with this quite unprecedented Estimate.

Mr. LYNCH

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies I should like to mention the question of the medical schools. What kind of loss is it intended to repair, and is any part of the cost for new research? On these various questions we have very meagre information presented to us. I should like, if possible, to follow out the use of these sums in regard to actual projects in scientific work to see that there is a real return, so as to use that as an argument in case of allocation on subsequent occasions.

Mr. MONTAGU

I think the reason of this is very easy to understand. The War has had very far-reaching consequences. One of the first to feel the brunt of it were certain universities, colleges, and medical schools that were depleted to a very large extent of their students, and which have suffered in a serious diminution in their income—other than fees—which were not paid—and which had the alternative of closing their doors, dismissing their teachers and servants, destroying beyond the possibility of repair their available teaching centres, or of being preserved during the period of War from the direct consequences of the War The only bodies that receive Grants under this Vote will be those universities, colleges, and medical schools which are already in receipt of Parliamentary Grants. They are bodies helped in peace time by the Government. It seems to me that they are deserving of assistance over this difficult time because of the losses which they have sustained. There is nothing for new expenditure. It is merely to help these institutions to keep their heads above water. We can find out what ought to become of them after peace is once more declared.

Mr. KING

To my mind the explanation is not at all satisfactory. First of all, why do you not give something to Oxford and Cambridge? [An HON. MEMBER: "They do!"] I thought it was only those colleges and universities that get a Parliamentary Grant, and Oxford and Cambridge do not get that. That, I think, is unsatisfactory. Also it is unsatisfactory that the amounts given here will not be submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor-General. I object to that altogether. The Comptroller and Auditor-General is one of the financial safeguards of economy in this House. I also sec no reason for the provision that the unexpended balances will not be surrendered at the end of the year. These provisions make it easy, I know, for hon. Gentlemen on the Treasury Bench to pass their money on. But it is not good finance. It is not economical finance. I am very sorry that the financial experts and authorities in this House are away dining. They have had a very good day already in connection with other Votes, but there are certain Members who know their way about in regard to our financial system generally who, if they were here, I am sure would want more explanation. I see the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Leif Jones) has just come in, and I wish he would join in some protest against this laxity and looseness in devoting money to very good objects in time of war, but apart from the usual financial control. I am very dissatisfied.

Question put, and agreed to.