HC Deb 21 December 1944 vol 406 cc1951-3
76. Mr. Petherick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the scope and purpose of Sir Findlater Stewart's inquiry into the British Council; whether it resulted from the Public Accounts Committee's comments on the Council's overspending two years ago and implies any reflection on its work; when Sir Findlater Stewart's Report may be expected; and whether it will be laid before the House.

Mr. George Hall

Sir Findlater Stewart has been appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend to inquire into the work and organisation of the British Council and to recommend what the future scope of its activities should be, how its purpose can best be fulfilled and what its relationship to the Central Government should be. The question of the future status and activities of the British Council has been under discussion between the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Mitcham (Sir M. Robertson) and my right hon. Friend since the early part of this year. Sir Findlater Stewart's appointment is the result of a decision by the Cabinet in June last that a full inquiry should be held under the joint auspices of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend. This decision implied no reflection on its work and is not connected with the report of the Committee of Public Accounts on the British Council's accounts for the financial year 1942–43. Sir Findlater Stewart has not completed his inquiry, and I am not in a position to say when he will present his Report. It is not intended that the Report should be published, but my right hon. Friend will in due course consider together with the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a statement can be made to the House about it.

Mr. Petherick

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is not suggested that the Report should be laid before the House of Commons, considering that the House is very deeply interested in the work of the British Council?

Mr. Hall

The investigation is very largely a Departmental one, which is likely to assist Departments in dealing with this very important branch of the Council's work.

Mr. Petherick

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's main answer, which in other respects is satisfactory, that the main object of the inquiry is concerned with policy for the future? If so, can he maintain that that does not concern the House of Commons, but is purely Departmental?

Mr. Hall

I am concerned with the House of Commons in connection with this matter, and I have no doubt that there will be a discussion on the work of the British Council some time in the future.

Sir W. Davison

Arising out of the important statement made by the right hon. Gentleman, is it not most desirable that at an early date there should be a discussion in the House on the work of the British Council, of which many people in the country, and many Members of the House, are largely ignorant?

Mr. Hall

That is a matter which must be left for the decision of the Leader of the House.

Mr. Buchanan

If there is to be a discussion in the House, is it not as well that we should have a copy of the Report? If any intelligent discussion is to take place it is essential that the Report should be available to Members.

Mr. Hall

I can but repeat that the inquiry is almost entirely a Departmental inquiry to advise the Departments. A full statement will be made about it after consultation between my right hon. Friend and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Sir W. Davison

rose——

Mr. Speaker

This appears to be developing into a question on Business.