52. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury by what Departments other than the Foreign Office the sum of £180,000 allocated to defray the charge of His Majesty's foreign and other secret services is controlled; and if he will state the reason for the increase from £46,840 allocated in 1913 to £180,000 allocated for the year ending 31st March, 1928?
§ Major COPE (for Mr. RONALD McNEILL)No, Sir. In making these grants under the head of Secret Service Parliament expressly waives its right to the explanation to which it is otherwise entitled in respect of all grants of public money, and to give such explanations would be to defeat the object of the grants.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us whaler or not the nation gets any value at all from the expenditure of this £180,000?
§ Mr. THURTLEAre we to understand that this Vote for the Secret Service may be increased to any amount whatsoever without Parliament having the right to ask for an explanation?
§ Major COPEI am afraid that I can add nothing to what I have already said, except to refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Snowden) on 8th April, 1924.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs this expenditure fully audited by the auditor?
§ Major COPEI have already said that I can add nothing to the answer I have given.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWhat was that answer?
§ Mr. STEPHENCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us under which Act it is not permissible for this House to demand details of this expenditure?
§ Mr. LUNNCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us whether any of this money, of which we have no knowledge, is allotted to the Communist movement in this country?
§ Mr. STEPHENIn the answer that the hon. and gallant Gentleman gave he said that the power of Parliament to ask questions with regard to this matter had been expressly reserved, and I am asking him under what Act of Parliament this matter is taken from the purview of this House?
§ Major COPEI think the hon. Member had better put any further question on the Paper.
§ Sir FREDRIC WISEIs it not the case that this particular account is examined by the Public Accounts Committee?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman answer that part of the question which asks for an explanation as to why the expenditure on this particular service has been multiplied by three since the War?
§ Major COPEI have already said that I am not able to give any further information.
§ Mr. MAXTONWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us why the representatives of the Home Office have left to him the duty of answering these objectionable questions instead of taking it on their own shoulders?
§ Major COPEThis question was addressed to the Treasury.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWho disposes of this money, and who handles it?