HC Deb 17 October 1939 vol 352 c680
54. Miss Ward

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many schemes submitted by the Service Departments, involving expenditure directly on benefits for the officers and men of the fighting Services, have been refused by the Treasury; and what was the total value of the expenditure involved?

Sir J. Simon

My hon. Friend does not give the period which she expects me to cover; but I am afraid that in any case the information desired could not be obtained without an unjustifiable expenditure of time and labour.

Miss Ward

In view of the fact that these Services are probably not in a position to fight their battles with the Treasury as well as the Civil Service, will the Chancellor bear in mind that the country wants generous treatment of those who are in the fighting Services?

Sir J. Simon

I think we are all agreed about that, but I am not sure that the Service Departments cannot fight their battles with the Treasury.

Mr. Dingle Foot

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Ministry of Pensions is able to fight its battle with the Treasury?