§ 54. Mr. Jenningsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the public interest he will now consider the formation of an economy committee of suitable business men to enquire into the wasteful expenditure of many Government Departments?
§ 59. Mr. Gledhillasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider the appointment of a full-time economy committee consisting mainly of accountants and business men with powers to scrutinise all Departmental accounts, and to report upon their organisation and staffing?
§ Captain CrookshankAs my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, the Government are anxious to obtain the help of suitably qualified business men in examining the expenditure particularly of new or largely expanded Departments; but he thinks he can make more effective use of their services by inviting them to undertake specific investigations, as he has already done in some instances, than by the method suggested by my hon. Friends.
§ Mr. JenningsIs this to be an immediate operation, or how long will it take before these people are employed?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not know what the hon. Member means by "immediate operation," but presumably he will recollect that financial members have been added both to the Air and Supply Ministries in recent weeks.
§ Mr. GledhillMay I ask whether this committee will also consider the organisation of the various Departments?
§ Captain CrookshankI think the hon. Member must have misheard my answer. There is no committee.
§ Mr. WoodburnDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the appointment of business men would be the worst thing, because a good business man ought to make as good a profit as possible and encourage spending?