§ 32. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to expediting decisions during the present emergency, he will empower certain Ministers, including the Secretaries of State for War and Air, the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Minister of Supply, and the Minister of Aircraft Production personally to authorise expenditure in connection with the work of their Departments without first obtaining Treasury sanction?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)Ministers in charge of all Departments of State have certain delegated powers to authorise expenditure without reference to the Treasury. These powers have been greatly extended since the outbreak of war in the cases mentioned. In addition, special arrangements have been made to ensure the utmost expedition in dealing with cases which require prior Treasury 1157 sanction. I am satisfied that these arrangements, which are kept constantly under review, are adequate to the situation.