HC Deb 10 January 1918 vol 101 cc305-6
45 and 46. Mr. MACMASTER

asked the Prime Minister (1) what steps the Government have taken to carry out the recommendations made by the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their First Report to the House of Commons, dated the 24th October last, and specially that the Treasury should determine from time to time the rates of profit and should satisfy themselves that the principles adopted in settling the conditions of contracts were sound; that the Treasury should lend greater support to the financial branches of the Ministry, generally, in their efforts to promote economy; that the Treasury should insist upon a more complete co-ordination between Government Departments in the purchase of munitions of war and the materials required for their manufacture; (2) what steps the Government have taken to carry out the recommendations made by the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their Second Report to the House of Commons, dated the 13th December last, and specially that a more active financial supervision should be exercised by the Treasury over the Departments so as to ensure the adoption of sound financial methods in every province of administration, to prevent undue profits being made by contractors, and to prevent competition between Departments in purchasing supplies?

Mr. BONARLAW

I would refer my hon. And learned Friend to the reply which I gave on the 14th instant to the right hon. Member for the Cleveland Division.