HC Deb 07 July 1937 vol 326 cc354-5
65. Mr. H. G. Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the Treasury Minute issued under the authority of Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1936; and the names of the prescribed officers who are authorised in the absence of Lords Commissioners to sign applications to the Comptroller-General?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the Treasury Minute dated 17th August, 1936, appointing the Second Secretary and the Under-Secretaries to the Treasury, all for the time being, for the purposes of Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1936.

Mr. Williams

Has there been any case in which these powers have been used?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I think not. Following is the Minute:

TREASURY MINUTE dated 17th August, 1936. Whereas by Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1936, it is enacted that any requisition for a credit under Section 13 or Section 15 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1866, may:

  1. (a) if not more than one of the Commissioners of the Treasury is available, be signed by one of the said Commissioners and either by one of the Secretaries of the Treasury or by one of such officers as the Treasury may from time to time appoint to that duty; and
  2. (b) if none of the said Commissioners is available, be signed either by two of the said Secretaries or by one of the said Secretaries and one of the said officers.
Now therefore We, being Two of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, under the power conferred on Us by the said Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1936, and every other power enabling Us in that behalf hereby direct that the Second Secretary and the Under Secretaries of the Treasury, all for the time being, shall be the officers appointed to sign requisitions in the circumstances mentioned in the said Section. (Sgd.) JAMES BLINDELL. (Sgd.) J. HENRY MORRIS-JONES. This 17th day of August, 1936. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, S.W. 1.