HC Deb 29 July 1919 vol 118 cc1939-40
77. Mr. MARRIOTT

asked when the trading account of the Ministry of Food for 1918–19, which was promised shortly after Whitsuntide, will be published?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)

A provisional trading account for the year ending 31st March, 1919, has been prepared in accordance with the promise given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to lay such a statement on the Table of the House of Lords. It will be accompanied by a provisional summary of trading and an explanatory report. The return will be printed immediately and copies of it will be made available for Members of this House.

Mr. MARRIOTT

Will the account be published before the House is asked to vote in a few days the large sum which it will be asked to vote for the Ministry of Food, including the bread subsidy?

Mr. McCURDY

I can only say that it will be printed immediately, and as soon as it is ready copies will be available for Members of the House.

Mr. MARRIOTT

Does that mean before we are asked to vote the money?

Mr. KENNEDY JONES

Will this account show the result of the Ministry as a whole or will it be an account of the various Departments

Mr. McCURDY

I am sorry, but I have not myself seen the account in question, but I hope that it will be in the hands of Members in a few days.

Mr. JONES

Is the hon. Member aware that we were promised in Debate a balance sheet giving the financial results of the working of the various Departments of the Food Ministry?

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Are we to understand that this will be available in a few days?

Major WOOD

May the House expect to be able to form an opinion as to the trading results under particular heads?

Mr. McCURDY

Hon. Members are just as competent as I to judge of the meaning of the word "immediately." I do not think it reasonable to ask the Ministry of Food to do anything more than to have these accounts printed immediately, and the moment they are published these questions will answer themselves.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the constitutional doctrine of grievances before supply?