HC Deb 07 August 1925 vol 187 cc1756-7

Resolution reported, That, towards making good the Supply granted to His Majesty for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1926 the sum of £10,000,000 be granted out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom.

Motion made, and Question proposed. "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution".

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

I wish to ask a question, a vital question, of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury or the Chancellor of the Exchequer. How is this money going to be found? We ought to have an answer to that question.

Mr. SPEAKER

This motion does not give an opening for a debate on that subject This Resolution merely authorises the drawing of the cheque on the Consolidated Fund which was sanctioned a moment ago.

Captain BENN

In supply we cannot raise the question of how the money is to found. We could not raise it on the last Resolution, and we cannot raise it on the Appropriation Bill, because that does not deal with the raising of money but with the granting of money, and I submit that I ought to be permitted to put what is a vital question. £10,000,000 has got to be found, and there must be some Parlia- mentary opportunity of asking just briefly whether that money is to be found by taxes or loans or making fund, or how it is to be found.

Mr. SPEAKER

It cannot possibly be done on this Ways and Means Resolution.

Captain BENN

Is there some Parliamentary procedure by which vast sums of money can he taken without any member of Parliament having an opportunity of asking how the money is to be raised?

Mr. SPEAKER

I do not think it would be out of Order to ask that question on the Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill.

Question put, and agreed to.

Ordered, "That it be an Instruction to the Committee on the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, that they have power to make provision therein pursuant to the said Resolution."—[Mr. Guinness.]