§ The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Mr. BOTTOMLEY:
§ 34. To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on Tuesday evening last week upwards of £160,000,000 of public money was voted under Standing Order No. 15 without any kind of discussion; and whether he, will consider what alteration can be made in Parliamentary procedure to prevent the recurrence of such an incident?
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYThe phrase at the end of the question, as handed in by me, was "the recurrence of such a scandal."
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy answer is not altered by the change in the phraseology of the question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I do not know of any method by which all the Votes could be discussed.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the question of re-setting up the Estimates Committee we had before the War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat did not in the least save the necessity for this procedure.
§ Sir D. MACLEANWill my right hon. Friend consider this as a mitigation, and 19 allot next Session 23 days to Supply, as he can do, rather than 20 days?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am quite willing to consider that suggestion, but that would be a very small mitigation.