HC Deb 08 February 1949 vol 461 cc231-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Mr. C. Williams

This is obviously a more or less formal Clause, but as this is a very important Bill we might have an assurance from the hon. Gentleman—this is only really a matter of transferring certain sums from one account to another—as to how, when these transfers are made and the matter comes before the appropriate accounting authority, such as the Estimates Committee or whatever body it may be, attention will be drawn to the fact that the transfer has been made.

Mr. Jay

This Clause is only necessary for this reason. It may happen that, when the division of aid between conditional aid and grant aid has been decided at the beginning of the year, the Economic Co-operation Administration in the United States may wish to vary it during the year. If it is decided that it shall be varied, we have to make the corresponding adjustment here. That would show itself in the report which the Comptroller and Auditor-General has to make on the operations of both schemes.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.