HC Deb 07 December 1948 vol 459 cc268-70
54. Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he personally investigates and approves the authorisation of every transfer or at least the most important transfers of sterling to charitable or political funds or bodies in France.

Sir S. Cripps

I accept full personal responsibility for all decisions taken by the Treasury.

Mr. Nicholson

Of course, as head of a Department the right hon. and learned Gentleman must do that. What I asked him is if he personally investigates and approves the transfer, or the most important transfers. May I have an answer to that Question?

Sir S. Cripps

I am afraid it is not possible, because in the ordinary course of administration some cases may be decided in one way and some in another. However, I take full responsibility for them all.

Mr. Nicholson

That is perfectly proper. Does not, however, the right hon. and learned Gentleman think upon reflection that he has made a great mistake in adopting the practice of supporting, at his own sweet will, certain political parties in a foreign country? Is it not a dangerous departure from precedent?

Sir S. Cripps

That is another question.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman feel himself that it is a very serious duty for his Department? I accept the fact that he accepts personal responsibility, but is it not a very invidious duty to impose on his Department?

Sir S. Cripps

If people ask that money should be transferred the Department has to give an answer one way or another.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that he himself laid down what we regard as an unsatisfactory rule for trying to decide which organisations should receive this money?

Sir S. Cripps

That is another question.

Mr. Pickthorn

When the right hon. and learned Gentleman speaks of the "ordinary course of administration" does he mean to imply that it is part of the ordinary course of administration that an administrative control over exchange export should be exercised in view of party political considerations?

Sir S. Cripps

It means that according to ordinary administrative practice some questions are decided by some officials and others by others.

Sir W. Smithers

And the answer is a lemon.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Are we to assume that these investigations led the Chancellor to believe the Communist suggestion that £1000 from Scotland was to go to charitable purposes?

Sir S. Cripps

That is another question.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

If the Chancellor takes full responsibility for this, how can he justify, or even attempt to justify, the use of the great national weapon of exchange control for party political purposes?

Sir S. Cripps

If the noble Lord will put that question down I will answer it.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that if this morning's news is to be believed, Transport House is to throw its money down the drain?

Mr. Nicholson

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again at the earliest opportunity on the Motion for the Adjournment.