HC Deb 17 September 1940 vol 365 cc89-90
9. Mr. Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the recently appointed Business Advisory Committee of the War Office will be empowered to consider and recommend upon any financial system now obtaining in his Department, and in any command, division, or smaller formation, and upon any system of acquisition or settlement now prevailing; whether in any matter of Departmental routine or management in any unit the committee will consider any representations made to it by any person of the establishment and others; and whether the committee, or any member thereof, will visit any formation for the purpose of becoming more fully acquainted therewith and representing thereupon?

Mr. Eden

A sub-committee of the main committee is already in process of visiting Commands for the purpose referred to in the last part of my hon. and learned Friend's Question, and in the course of visits to Commands they will consider the problems of lower formations also. As regards the rest of the Question, I think that the comprehensive character of the committee's task is clearly indicated in my answer to his Question of 20th August, and I do not think that I can usefully add to that except to say that I have no doubt that the existing machinery will enable useful suggestions made by individual members of the Forces to be brought to the notice of the committee.

Mr. Lyons

What procedure is to be adopted to enable any person in these formations to meet that Committee, if he desires to give it the benefit of his experience?

Mr. Eden

I think I would like to have notice of that, but the general principle is that the Committee will receive information from whatever quarter it may come.

Mr. Lyons

I asked the right hon. Gentleman here the other day the position with regard to Members of Parliament, which was quite satisfactory, but will non-Members be able to make representations direct, or will they have to go through the usual channels?

Mr. Eden

I think I must protect the Committee to some extent, but, generally speaking, any person who has a complaint to make will be able to put it forward.