§ 78. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue a White Paper showing what reductions in expenditure have actually been effected in accordance with the recommendations of the Geddes Committee's Report; and if he will give particulars of the recommendations in the Report, for the cutting down of expenditure on which no action has been taken?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)The Geddes Committee reported five years ago and their Report was directed to the reduction of the expenditure of 1922–23 by approximately £100 millions. As my hon. Friend is aware a large part of the economies recommended by them or alternative economies were carried into effect. I would refer him to the speech of the right hon. Member for the Hillhead Division on 1st March, 1922. To make such a return as is suggested accurate it would be necessary not only to analyse the Reports of the Geddes Committee but the alternative economies and subsequent economies effected as a result of later Committees. I do not think that after this lapse of time and having regard to the subsequent inquiries into the possibility of economy, the return could be otherwise than misleading, or would serve any useful purpose, and in view of the labour involved I hope my hon. Friend will not press for it.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWould my right hon. Friend be able to say approximately how many of the economies suggested by 1284 the Geddes Report have not been carried out in view of the desirability of economy which is so general?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo, Sir. I think a general statement of that sort may be entirely misleading.