57. Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government received by the date laid down, namely 1st January, the replies of all the departments to the Cabinet letter of 20th November last in regard to the cutting down of their expenditure?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs I informed my hon. Friend on Thursday last, most of the replies have been received, but a few are still outstanding.
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say which are the Government Departments which have not sent in replies?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, not without notice. If my hon. Friend insists on putting down a question of that kind he shall have an answer, but I think it is a waste of time. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]
§ Sir R. COOPERWhy does it take three months for a Government department to reply?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not a fact that the War Cabinet gave instructions that the replies should be sent in not later than January 1st?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. It has not been found possible in all cases to comply with that. The matter is being watched by the competent Treasury department, and we shall get all these replies. If my hon. Friend attaches importance to it, and will give me notice, he shall have the information.