§ 6. Lieut.-Colonel A. POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for War what action it has been decided to take with regard to the Lawrence Report on Army accountancy?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Walsh)The Army Council have decided, with the concurrence of the Treasury, to adopt the two principal recommendations on which General Lawrence's Committee were unanimous, namely, the amalgamation of the Royal Army Pay Corps and the Corps of Military Accountants, and the continuance of the new scheme of cost accounting, subject to an investigation as to the possibility of improvements and simplification with a view to economy in its working.
§ Lieut.-Colonef POWNALLWill the economics thus effected be brought into next year's Estimates?
§ Mr. WALSHIt is impossible to say that just now, because, of course, we neither know what economies will actually be effected nor the exact period of time within which they will begin to operate, except that we are hoping that there will be an economy consequent upon the inquiry that we are making, which, as my hon. and gallant Friend will know, will result from No. 62 of the recommendations.
§ Colonel ASHLEYIs there going to be any public recognition of the great public services of the late Joint Secretary of the War Office, Sir Charles Harris, who was the originator of this costing system which has now been adopted officially?
§ Mr. WALSHI do not know that that arises out of this question; as a matter of fact, I think it is entirely distinct; but my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office has already borne very emphatic and open testimony to the ability of the gentleman referred to.