§ 48. Commander BOWERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether consideration has been given to the report of the Private Members' Economy Committee of 1932; which of the recommendations contained therein have been put into effect; and what has been the resultant reduction in national expenditure?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir; the Committee's suggestions were carefully considered and although in a number of cases the detailed proposals were found to be incompatible with the policy of His Majesty's Government, I was glad at the time of the assistance which they afforded 1000 me in my task of effecting economies. In view of the enormous field covered by the Committee—their report ran to over 130 pages—I cannot undertake to make the elaborate analysis which the last two parts of the Question would require.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say why since this report was published Supply expenditure has increased by more than £50,000,000?
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a strong feeling in the country that some of the recommendations made by this Committee should be further considered?
§ Commander BOWERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether enough money has been saved by the recommendations of this Committee in 1932 to meet their expenditure in publishing this discarded but still valuable report?