§ 52. Mr. J. P. MORRISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider issuing instructions to all the Departments of State to allow every facility to any Member of this House who may desire, during the recess, to examine in detail the expenditure of the said Departments with a view to placing before His Majesty's Government, before the next Session commences, suggestions for economies which can be made in the national expenditure?
§ Major ELLIOTMy hon. Friend will be aware that there are Committees of this House specially set up and charged with the duty of examining public expenditure. In addition, there are the days devoted to Supply, of which a number still remain before the end of the Session, when Members have an opportunity of bringing criticism of proposed Departmental expenditure directly to the notice of the Ministers concerned. In the exercise of their constitutional responsibility all Members of the Government are I am sure most desirous of examining closely suggestions for economy made to them from any quarter. I regret that I 403 am unable to accept the particular proposal in question.
§ Mr. MORRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question of a drastic reduction in the national expenditure is seriously exercising the mind of many back benchers in the House, and that they would welcome an opportunity to do a real job of work on the lines in the question—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is hardly the time to make a speech about it.