§ 34. Mr. ASHLEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the official in Ireland who was responsible for the five Crown witnesses in a certain trial who were kept in Dublin from July to December, 1914, at an expediture of £550 7s. 8d., and were never called, has yet refunded to the Treasury the difference between that sum and the amount properly authorised by the Treasury; who the official was; whether he is still in the public service; why the Irish Office who were aware in August that this expenditure was being incurred did not take steps to curtail it; and on what ground the Attorney-General for Ireland in November, 1914, authorised the continuance of the expenditure at the rate which has now been disallowed?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe expenditure in question has not been refunded to the Treasury but the matter will receive 1036 full consideration in connection with the First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts which is at present before the Treasury. I am not in a position to reply to the remaining parts of the question.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when this money will be refunded, seeing that the expenditure took place nearly two years ago?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Comptroller Auditor-General drew the attention of the Public Accounts Committee to the matter, and it is obvious that the Treasury must wait and consider the finding of the Public Accounts Committee and the evidence given before it, before arriving at a decision.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCould the right hon. Gentleman say who the official is?
§ Mr. McKENNAI say that the remaining parts of the questions ought to be addressed to the Irish Office.