HC Deb 05 June 1956 vol 553 cc849-50
5. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for War how many professional accountants are employed by his Department; and on what branches of the work of the Department they are engaged.

Mr. Head

Three cost accountants are employed in the contracts organisation.

Mr. Johnson

Would it not reduce the possibility of error in the keeping of the accounts, and, indeed, be more economical in the long run, to employ professional accountants instead of leaving the work to those who have no special training in accountancy?

Mr. Head

That question was gone into in some detail by the Crick Committee. I have not time now to go into the details, but, broadly speaking, we train our own audit people on the accounting side and we do not think the importation of a large number of outside accountants would be a desirable step. The Committee did not recommend that we should.

Mr. Hoy

Is it not a fact that the War Office is unable to take complete stock because of lack of officials? Is the right hon. Gentleman giving any consideration to that aspect of the matter?

Mr. Head

It is true that to take stock of every single thing we hold would require a very large number of officials, and there is already pressure on me to cut down the staff; we have to strike a balance between the two requirements.