26. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Geddes Committee will be presented?
42. Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to issue in full the Report of the Departmental Committee on Expenditure presided over by the late Minister of Transport?
Captain BENN(by Private Notice) asked the Leader of the House whether it is proposed to publish at an early date the findings of the Geddes Committee?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hilton Young)I have been asked to reply. The question of the publication of the Committee's Report will be a matter for the consideration and decision of the Cabinet.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDoes the Treasury look with a favourable eye on this Report?
Captain TERRELLMay I ask why the Cabinet cannot consider this matter at once? Why must it be delayed?
§ Mr. YOUNGIt is impossible to give any further answer. The Report has not even been received by the Members of the Cabinet.
Captain TERRELLMay I ask for an answer to my question as to when the Cabinet will consider this matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will allow me to point out the simple fact that the Cabinet cannot consider the Report until it reaches them.
§ Mr. HOGGEMay I ask the Leader of the House if he can say when he, as Leader of the House, expects the Report to be considered?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a purely hypothetical question.
§ Mr. HOGGEOn that point of Order. Is it not the case that the Geddes Committee was set up during the last Session of Parliament, that we have been called together for a special Session of Parliament, and that, as financial business is the first business of a new Session, the House is entitled to know whether the Cabinet expect the Report shortly, and, if so, what steps will be taken?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is one of our Rules at Question Time that we do not admit hypothetical questions. This is one of that nature.
§ Mr. HOGGEOn that point of Order. I understand from your ruling that it is left to the Leader of the House to expect or not to expect a Report from a Financial Committee presided over by a Member of his Cabinet.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is dependent on a meeting which has not yet taken place.
Captain TERRELLThe question on the Paper asks if he will state when the Report of the Geddes Committee will be presented? We have not had an answer to that. We want to know when it will be presented.
§ Mr. HURDCan the Leader of the House inform us how it comes about that such voluminous reports as to the contents of this Report have appeared in the Press, and whether those reports are accurate?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs I have not seen the Report, which, as I have said, has not yet been presented to the Cabinet, I am unable to say how far any reports in the Press, which I have also not seen, are accurate.
§ Mr. HURDCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to the means by which these voluminous reports have appeared in the public Press, even before the Report itself has been presented to the Cabinet?