43. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what arrangements are being made under the Newfoundland Government in commission for auditing public expenditure, and particularly grants-in-aid made by this country?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)The question of the arrangements to be made in future in Newfoundland for the local audit of the accounts of Government expenditure is at present under consideration. In view of the fact that Newfoundland will be assisted by grants-in-aid from the United Kingdom Exchequer, the audited accounts, with a report by the auditor, will in future be furnished to the Comptroller and Auditor General of the United Kingdom.
Captain CROOKSHANKDoes that mean that no payment of the Grants-in-Aid will be made until satisfactory arrangements have been reached?
§ Mr. MacDONALDI do not anticipate that more than a few days will be required to reach those satisfactory arrangements.
Captain CROOKSHANKEven so, can we have an assurance that no payments will be made until the auditing arrangements are satisfactory?
§ Mr. MacDONALDI can give an assurance that the completed arrangements will be satisfactory both as regards the grants given and the auditing.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELDoes that mean that these accounts will be looked through by the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons from time to time?
§ Mr. MacDONALDThe practice will be exactly the same as in the case of all Colonies who obtain Grants-in-Aid from the United Kingdom Exchequer.