§ 42. Mr. STEPHENasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the House has explicitly waived its right to explanations in respect of grants under the head of Secret Service; and, if so, on what occasion?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe Vote for Secret Service is passed each year by Committee of Supply and the practice to which the hon. Member refers has been the established custom for many years under administrations of all political complexions. It will be obvious that to give explanations would defeat the object of the Vote.
§ Mr. STEPHENIs it only custom that keeps Members of this House from discussing that Vote?
§ Mr. McNEILLThat is so.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that we are getting value for the money we are expending on this service?
§ Mr. McNEILLIt is probably a matter of opinion as regards the value we get for any money we spend.
§ Mr. THURTLEDo I gather that in the event of time being allowed and a Motion being put down there would be no Standing Order which would prevent a full discussion of the expenditure of this money?
§ Mr. McNEILLOf course, I cannot give an answer to that question, but if it were put down the Government would refuse to give the information.