§ 46. Mr. Peartasked the Prime Minister if he will issue instructions to all Ministers that, when cuts have been decided on in regard to the expenditure of their Departments, these cuts are to be announced at a time when this House is sitting and the economies can be discussed.
§ The Prime MinisterThe House should always be given an opportunity of discussing important changes of policy. But administrative measures may be necessary when the House is not in Session.
The circular issued by the Ministry of Education—if I might plumb the thought behind this Question—on 7th December last year was to ask local authorities to review their figures of expenditure for 1952–53 and to attempt to reduce them by about 5 per cent. They were then already engaged in the preparation of their estimates and it was necessary to give them guidance at the earliest possible moment. The fact that the issue of this circular took place on the same day that the House adjourned was due to coincidence and not design.
Let me assure the House that every effort will be made by His Majesty's Government to bring necessary and controversial measures before the House so that they can be effectively debated.
§ Mr. PeartIs the Prime Minister aware that he has today revealed a very guilty conscience; and does he realise that to issue this circular, which envisages very severe cuts in educational expenditure, on the very day Parliament adjourned was a shocking contempt of the House of Commons?
§ The Prime MinisterI am quite sure that this Government will not be guilty of a contempt of the House of Commons; but I also feel that, among any defects which may be attributed to us, fear of a furious row in the House of Commons must not be included.
§ Mr. George ChetwyndCan the Prime Minister say why both he and the Minister of Education evaded making any reference to this circular when they were being heavily questioned about educational cuts on the same day? Was it because, as has been reported, the Minister of Education had no knowledge of the circular?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I am informed, my right hon. Friend had approved the circular but at the time she had no precise information of when it was actually to be issued by the Department.