HC Deb 26 January 1943 vol 386 cc366-7
66. Mr. Astor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is satisfied that the control on the expenditure of public money in the Middle East is as efficient as that prevailing in Great Britain?

Sir K. Wood

All non-military expenditure and a considerable part of military expenditure in the Middle East is controlled in the same way as expenditure in this country. My hon. Friend will appreciate that on military expenditure arising out of operational requirements authority must be delegated to the Commander-in-Chief, and in such cases expenditure is controlled by the authorities on the spot in accordance with a system laid down by the appropriate Headquarters Departments. I have no reason to suppose that these arrangements are not working satisfactorily.

Mr. Astor

In view of the enormous sums of public money being spent in that area would my right hon. Friend consider inviting the Select Committee on National Expenditure to send a Sub-committee out to the Middle East?

Sir K. Wood

I should not like to go as far as that.

Sir H. Williams

As the standard indicated is so low that it is no better than here, is it not time to do something about it?

Mr. Astor

If a Sub-committee has produced excellent results in the home area, might not equally good results be produced in overseas areas?

Mr. A. Edwards

Is it necessary to send a Sub-committee? Have they not authority to go there?