§ 52. Sir J. MARRIOTTasked the Prime Minister whether it is intended again to set up the Select Committee on Estimates; and whether, if so, it will be set up at the earliest possible date and will be provided with such facilities for the efficient discharge of the duties confided to it by the House of Commons as were recommended in the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure (1918)?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe necessary Motion to set up the Estimates Committee will be moved as soon as arrangements can be made. The terms of reference will be as in former years. As regards the last part of the question, I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind Recommendation 4 of the Committee on National Expenditure, relative to the appointment of an Examiner of Estimates. I have explained on several occasions that His Majesty's Government cannot adopt that recommendation.
§ Sir FREDRIC WISEWill the right hon. Gentlemanconsider attaching a permanent official to the Estimates Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf I am asked to reply on the spur of the moment, I cannot see what good that would do. I examined the whole question of that Committee's Report with the greatest of care, and I came to the very definite conclusion that Recommendation No. 4 was one that in practice would not have the effect which the Committee hoped in their Recommendation.