§ 65. Sir FREDERICK BANBURYasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will say why no Estimates for the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force have yet been presented; when they will be presented; and if an opportunity will be given for discussing them in Committee of Supply?
§ Mr. BALDWINEstimates have not yet been presented for the Navy, Army, and Air Force, because, owing to the course of events, it has not been possible for His Majesty's Government to determine the principal factors on which such Estimates must be based—for example, the strength of the forces to be maintained in the second half of the financial year—in time-for presentation of Estimates before the Recess. Every endeavour will be made to lay the Estimates before the Houses during the autumn, and the usual opportunities will be afforded for their discussion.
§ Sir F. BANBURYWill not most of the money have been expended before the Estimates are presented to the House, and, if so, what steps will be taken to recover the money already spent should the House decline to sanction the expenditure? Will it be the same as in the case of the Lord Chancellor's bath; will a Supplementary Estimate be presented for money spent in defiance of the House?
§ Mr. BALDWINNo. We may assume that the Lord Chancellor's bath was a unique event. Sufficient sums have been voted to carry on the Services until the Estimates are presented to the House.