§ 11. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what requests have been made by him to the Jordan Government for certified accounts in respect of grants in aid to the Arab Legion; and when these accounts were last received.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe normal procedure is for audited accounts of expenditure from the Arab Legion subsidy to be given to Her Majesty's Government as soon as they are available. The audited accounts for the year 1953–54 were received at the end of March, 1955, and the accounts for 1954–55 are expected shortly.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonMay we have an assurance that, from now on, there will be rather more energy shown by the Foreign Office in getting these accounts much more quickly than they have been 1408 received in the past? Is it not a fact that we are spending £8 or £9 million on this very unreliable force, and should at least know as quickly as possible how this money is being spent?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI cannot accept what the hon. and gallant Gentleman said about the Arab Legion. Of course, we use all expedition in order to see that these accounts are received.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerNo, Sir. I should like notice of that question.