§ 25. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that the Vote for the Secret Service has risen from £2,500,000 to £5,000,000 a year in recent years, an increase of 100 per cent., he will appoint a committee of businessmen with a view to securing economies.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that yesterday it was announced that an independent committee of this kind is to be set up to inquire into the question of hospital beds and false teeth? Is it not just as important to economise in this Department? Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous new vested 1347 interest growing up, that it is useless to try to prevent secret information going to the enemy and that it would be cheaper to exchange secret information with the other side?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat supplementary question raises a number of interesting and intriguing issues, but the two subject matters seem to me somewhat different.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again.