§ 26. Mr. LEES-SMITHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has come to any final decision on the subject of presenting the Estimates classified as to the purposes of expenditure on the same plan as the Army 472 Estimates, in accordance with the recommendation of the Select Committee on National Expenditure?
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer is in the negative. On the general aspect of this matter I would invite attention to the Third Report of the Select Committee on Public Accounts, 1921, paragraphs 17 to 23. Reference to that Report will show that the Committee were of opinion that it would be wise to await fuller experience of the results obtained from the operation of the scheme in the accounts of the Army before extending the system to other Departments. The hon. Member will no doubt appreciate that any radical change in the form of Estimates and accounts would require the concurrence of the Committee on Public Accounts.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHWas not that recommendation made two years ago? Is it not now time to deal with the question?