§ 36. Sir Stanley Reedasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the preparations for a war of three years' duration, he will take steps immediately to introduce economies in the civil administration corresponding to those made in 1931?
§ Sir J. SimonMy hon. Friend will appreciate that the particular economies put into effect in 1931 were related to the circumstances then obtaining and would not necessarily be appropriate or practicable at the present time. I welcome this opportunity, however, of making it clear that His Majesty's Government fully realise the imperative necessity of husbanding the financial resources of the country so as to make them available to the utmost for the successful prosecution of the war. Action has already been taken to review expenditure on a number of important services and I propose to supplement this action by instructing all departments to undertake a careful examination of every item of expenditure, whether in the sphere of policy or ad-ministration, with a view to securing the maximum possible economy. As I have 1055 previously suggested, I trust that I may have the co-operation of the House in resisting demands for the expansion of expenditure on any services which cannot be regarded in present circumstances as absolutely vital in the national interest.
§ Sir I. AlberyHas my right hon. Friend any special measures in view to propose to this House by which the Members of this House can help and assist in preventing the waste in public expenditure?
§ Sir J. SimonThe matter is so important that suggestions of any kind are being very carefully examined, and I can assure my hon. Friend that that suggestion is one of them.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the right hon. Gentleman see to it that the poor are not deprived of any necessities while the wealthy are enabled to enjoy luxuries?