HC Deb 11 March 1936 vol 309 cc2132-3
61. Mr. BENSON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any statement with regard to the new methods of procedure which are being worked out for the financing of the proposals for defence embodied in Command Paper No. 5107; what is implied by the statement that the work must not be delayed by the over-elaboration of financial safeguards; and what are the existing financial safeguards with which it is proposed to dispense?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

I would refer the hon. Member to the Treasury Minute on Defence Expenditure dated 4th March, of which a copy has been presented to Parliament, setting up the Treasury Inter-Service Committee. I anticipate that the procedure adopted by this committee will enable them to deal adequately and expeditiously with the financial questions involved. It is not proposed to dispense with any existing financial safeguards.

Mr. BENSON

May I ask what that Treasury Minute means? I have read it four times and I have not the slightest idea what are the safeguards involved.

Mr. MORRISON

I can only advise the hon. Gentleman to read it a fifth time.

Mr. BENSON

Does it mean that the service representatives on that committee will have carte blanche to spend what they like?

Mr. MORRISON

No, it certainly does not mean that.

Mr. BENSON

What safeguard is there against that?