§ 38. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now publish the Report of the Committee which investigated the question of accountancy in the Army?
§ Mr. WALSHI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which gave on the 14th instant, which my hon. Friend has doubtless seen.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HODGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this House has been promised this report for over a year, that many needed reforms have been kept back pending this report, and that this House ought not to be kept without its contents?
§ Mr. WALSHI cannot say what promises were made 12 months ago, as that is a date of which I have no official record. The report was completed in the Department on 23rd October last.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HODGEFive months ago.
§ Mr. WALSHMany things have happened in those five months. First of all, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, the Committee is entirely an Interdepartmental Committee. The Army Council has not yet considered the report. At the earliest opportunity, I will get the Army Council to consider it, and as soon as that is done, which, I hope, will be within a very short time, the whole matter will come up for consideration.