§ 47. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the growing practice, as exemplified in the Money Resolution relating to the Depressed Areas Bill, of inserting in Money Resolutions provisions which do not directly affect the provision of finance; and whether he will place on record that it is the intention of the Government to restrict, as far as possible, future Money Resolutions to the purely financial provisions of the related legislation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware that it is the practice to insert in Money Resolutions any provisions which do not affect the provision of 1821 finance. There is certainly no such deliberate practice though I recognise that legitimate differences of opinion may occasionally arise on border-line cases. The House is well aware of the constitutional principle that money is only voted by the House upon the recommendation of the Crown, and the Government cannot divest themselves of the responsibility for determining with what degree of particularity the purposes and conditions for and under which money is asked for should be set out in the Motion to which the King's Recommendation is to be signified. The practice of the present Government in this matter has not differed from that of their predecessors but I will carefully bear in mind the observations which you, Sir, expressed on Monday last.
§ Mr. JONESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider what Mr. Speaker said on Monday about this matter, and also to bear in mind the expressions of opinion which came from all parts of the House yesterday on the Financial Resolution relating to the Depressed Areas Bill, and whether he will not consider the desirability of examining any future Financial Resolutions in the light of the discussion yesterday?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have very carefully read the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that it was impossible for me to hear the Debate, but the OFFICIAL REPORT has been read.
§ Mr. MABANEDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that in 1911 he took part in a vigorous protest against this practice and said that if he were Prime Minister he would be able to draft a Financial Resolution in a different form?