§ 44. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Departments have not furnished their accounts this year to the Auditor General on or before 30th November as required by the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1921.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)The following Departments had not furnished their Appropriation Accounts for 1948–49 to the Comptroller and Auditor General by 30th November, 1949:
- Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (2 Votes).
- Imperial War Graves Commission.
- Ministry of Health—National Health Service Vote.
- Department of Health for Scotland—National Health Service (Scotland) Vote.
§ In addition, the following Trading Accounts were outstanding on 30th November:
- Forestry Commission.
- Ministry of Supply: Raw Materials.
- Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries: County Agricultural Executive Committees.
- Department of Agriculture for Scotland: Agricultural Trading Services.
- Ministry of Transport: Shipping Operations.
- Royal Mint.
§ The last four are the first Trading Accounts to be rendered for these services and the first year presented special difficulties.
§ Sir W. SmithersIn view of this disgraceful revelation, what disciplinary action does the Chancellor propose to take against the Ministries concerned, and when will he realise that under Socialist State control, administration breaks down which brings ruin, and is one of the main reasons for the economic crisis? Why does he not answer?