HC Deb 22 May 1919 vol 116 cc548-9
28. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will grant a Return showing the cost to this country by loan or grant, including outsiders, of each of the expeditions as follows: Archangel and Murmansk, Koltchak, Denikin, Ukraine, Finland, Esthonia and Lettland, and Roumania?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)

I wrote to my hon. and gallant Friend about this question yesterday, explaining that it was impossible to furnish the information he wants at the present time owing to the difficulties involved in its preparation.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are we to understand from that that it is impossible for the Financial Secretary to supply the lump sum totals of subventions, whether in cash or arms?

Mr. FORSTER

My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that I discussed this matter with him, and I understand that he wants the total cost which will eventually fall on the country. That, I am afraid, I cannot give him at the present time. As he knows, accounts have to be kept in accordance with directions from Parliament, but they are not kept in such a form as to enable the information to be given expeditiously.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Can he give me information of the subventions, both in cash and in materials, leaving out the question of British troops?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not think we could with regard to materials. I dare say we could in regard to cash, and if that will content my hon. and gallant Friend I will see if that can be done.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it not that the Government wish to keep the country dark as to the amount of money being spent on these expeditions?

Mr. FORSTER

No, that is really not the case. I have answered many questions by my hon. and gallant Friend during the last four years, and I do not think there is a single occasion on which an answer I have given contained any basis for such a suggestion.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I ask whether this is not a question of great importance to the finances of the country, and whether it is not, therefore, the duty of the Financial Secretary to the War Office to be able to give the country an account of the expenditure on these expeditions?

Mr. FORSTER

It is undoubtedly of great importance, and I think I have given a perfectly straightforward answer.