§ 45. Captain NORTHasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Committee on National Expenditure, which reported in July last year, were obliged to make their investigations in haste, he will consider the desirability of reconstituting a similar committee in the near future in order that the possibilities of further economy in national expenditure may be examined in greater detail?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's premise. The committee was appointed in March and reported in July. Its inquiry, though expeditious, was quite sufficient as a guide to the Government: I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend in particular to paragraph 40 of its report. The Government will overlook no opportunity of securing all possible reductions of public expenditure, but for the reason I have given I do not agree that the appointment of another committee similar to the committee of last year is required.