MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES. (Hansard, 4 February 1942)

§ Captain Crookshank
This expenditure is due to another action by this House, in one of its representative capacities. Most of us belong to the Empire Parliamentary Association. That Association decided during the year to invite delegates of the Dominion Parliaments to visit us. We had the pleasure of receiving delegates from Canada and South Africa. Unfortunately Australia and New Zealand were not able to be represented, owing to the recent extension of the war. In order to defray the expenses of that visit, it is necessary to ask for this Supplementary Vote.

§ Mr. Tinker (Leigh)
Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman go more fully into the matter, and tell us what these expenses cover? Do they cover the passages of the delegates from the Dominions to this country, or are they for entertainment after their arrival in this country?

§ Captain Crookshank
The question of the travelling expenses to and from is a matter which is settled in different ways on different occasions. As hon. Members who are versed in the arrangements of the Empire Parliamentary Association know, it is normal for the entertainment to be provided in the country to which the delegates go, whether this country or the Dominions. Whether in this particular case the payment covered any of the actual travelling outside this country I am not certain, but I can let the hon. Member know. He can rest assured that if it was so, it was because it was considered by the Association very important that these visitors should come. It may be that the Dominions did not have the traveling facilities themselves. Of course, when they come here they are entertained by the Association, which provides travelling and hotel fees and arranges such small social gatherings as may be necessary in order that the delegates may achieve the purpose for which they have come, to maintain contact with this country, and, more especially, with both Houses of Parliament.