§ 26. Mr. P. WHITEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the money for rebuilding the ruined area in Dublin will 952 be given by Sir William Goulding's Committee, and the cause of the delay; whether the Committee was left free to put their own interpretation on the terms of reference, guided by the declaration of the Minister as representing the Prime Minister who modified the original draft; if the Treasury or any of its officials by instructions, suggestions, or otherwise sought to fetter the freedom of the Committee in doing what they considered just and fair; and, if so, is there any precedent for permanent Civil servants seeking to override instructions given on behalf of the First Minister of the Crown?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Committee referred to has been entrusted with the task, not of distributing money, but of making recommendations to His Majesty's Government within the limits of the terms of reference. There has been no interference with the discretion of the Committee in its discharge of this task, but the Government in dealing with the recommendations will naturally have the benefit of the advice of its permanent officials.