§ 55. Major - General Sir NEWTON MOOREasked the Prime Minister if he will state the cost of the Pennant inquiry instituted by the House of Lords; under what Vote or Votes the expenditure will be chargeable; and whether the House of Commons will have an opportunity of discussing the expenditure incurred, the House of Commons having decided by vote that no inquiry was justified?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is estimated that the total charges will be upwards of £9,000. These will be paid from the House of Lords Vote, the Stationery Office Vote, and the Vote for Law Charges. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the discussion suggested.
§ Sir N. MOOREDoes not the question of constitutional privilege arise out of this? This expenditure was refused by the House of Commons, and, being refused, another place took upon itself to authorise it.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt does raise a very big constitutional question—so big that I do not think it is possible to deal with it by question and answer.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the costs of the officers of the Air Force who have come out of the charges brought against them be defrayed by the Treasury?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere is a question on that subject for to-morrow. I may, however, as well say at once that the Cabinet have considered the matter. I think it would be too unfair to allow these expenses to be undeservedly thrown upon people who can ill afford to pay them.