45 Lieut.-Colonel VIVIAN HENDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether he has as yet had an opportunity of considering the first Report of the Estimates Committee this Session; and, if so, what action, if any, the Government propose to take in regard to the Committee's recommendations as to the reclassification and regrouping of the Estimates; as to the future size and composition of the Committee; as to discussion of the Committee's Reports on Supply days; and as to the present limits of discussion when the main Estimates are under consideration, respectively?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)Yes, Sir. The Government accept the recommendations of the Select Committee in regard to the reclassification and regrouping of Estimates and they will give effect to them, subject to some minor emendations, in next year's Estimates. The Government do not see their way to adopt the recommendations as to the future size and composition of the Committee. It appears to them that the Committee should aim at reviewing a group of Estimates each year so as to cover the full field every four or five years and should endeavour as far as possible to complete this review before the particular group are finally disposed of in Supply. This they consider the Committee should be able to do without additional members or special facilities In particular, they do not consider that persons outside the House should be appointed to serve on Sub-Committees, but they are prepared to arrange that a Treasury witness should attend the meetings of the Committee, and assist them so far as he can.
The Government are not prepared to ask the House to accept the recommendations referred to in the last two parts of the question.
If it be the general desire of the House to discuss the Reports of the Estimates Committee on any occasion, arrangements can, no doubt, be made through the usual channels. The adoption of the recommendation relating to the limits of discussion on the Estimate of a Department, to include references to the services rendered to it by other Departments, would involve a great departure in the present procedure in Committee 614 of Supply, and might lead to the same question being discussed on several Votes instead of on the one Vote of the responsible office.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEMay I ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the "established usage" contained in Chapter 18 of Erskine May, in which it is pointed out that
important changes in. the customary form of the Estimates should not be made without the previous approval of the Public Accounts Committee,and whether his answer proposes a departure from that customary usage?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have had the advantage of reading that paragraph within the last quarter of an hour, and the bon. Member will recollect that the phrase used in that paragraph is "the customary form." I am advised that such changes as are contemplated here do not conflict with that passage. I am glad the question was asked, because it gives me the opportunity of saying that my right hon. Friend, before any changes are formulated, will take the opportunity of discussing the matter with the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates. Committee.
§ Commander BELLAIRSAs a counterproposal, may I suggest that the Estimates Committee should be reduced to about five members, and should appoint their own Sub-Committees?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis is rather short notice for a question of that kind, but doubtless any proposal put to my right hon. Friend will receive consideration.