§ 57. Mr. WATTasked whether the Treasury now pays for all the purchases of the Admiralty, the War Office, and the Ministry of Munitions, or whether these Departments pay their own accounts for purchases made and services rendered; if the latter, whether this is a new system since the beginning of the War; and what check the Treasury has over these Departments in the proper expenditure of the money of the nation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn accordance with the established system of public finance, the Admiralty, War Office, and Ministry of Munitions are responsible for the expenditure incurred by them. As regards Treasury control, I would refer the hon. Member to the reports of the Select Committee on National Expenditure and to my statement of the 14th instant.
§ Mr. WATTDo these Departments make contracts quite freely without the Treasury intervening in any way?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere is a certain amour t of control. It is quite obvious that I cannot define what it is.