§ 49. Wing-Commander Millingtonasked the Lord President of the Council why, in view of the fact that E.N.S.A. will wind up in the United Kingdom at the end of March and overseas at the end of June, its budget for 1946 is only £1,000,000 less than for 1945.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)The programme of E.N.S.A. entertainment for the Services in the 12 months ending in August, 1946, which has been approved by the National Service Entertainments Board and the Service Departments, provides for a total expenditure of £3,500,000 as compared with £4,500,000 in the preceding 12 months. This reduction takes account of the decision to eliminate live entertainment at home, except for performances to personnel in hospital, at the end of March; E.N.S.A. will continue to be partially responsible for cinema entertainment at home. Entertainment overseas will continue under E.N.S.A.'s auspices until the end of August, and will not terminate in June. It is considered that the reduction of expenditure over the 12 months ending in August next by 945 £1,000,000 as compared with the previous year can be regarded as satisfactory; it should be realised that the greater part of the expenditure is in respect of the early months of the period.
§ Mr. WalkdenHas anyone on the part of the Government troubled to go into the details of this organisation which quite obviously is a waste of time and energy and, in the main, is altogether un-necessary?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think the final observations of my hon. Friend are rather sweeping.
§ Mr. WalkdenHear, hear.
§ Mr. MorrisonI am glad he agrees with me. The matter has been gone into thoroughly by the Service Departments, and the National Service Entertainments Board.
§ Mr. WalkdenIn view of the nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise the whole subject on the Adjournment at the earliest possible date.