§ 50. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the greatly increased cost of the Secret Service in recent years, he will remit to the committee now considering telephone tapping the duty of inquiring into how far the £5 millions annual expenditure on the Secret Service is justified.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Prime Minister not aware that that Answer is worthy of the Secret Service itself? Does he realise that an enormous number of telephones can be tapped for £5 million a year? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secret Service bill has gone up by £2 million a year under the present Government, and does he not think that others besides the Prime Minister, such as the Privy Councillors, could very well see if some economies could be effected here?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not grudge the hon. Gentleman his prepared impromptus, which we always enjoy; but his figures are inaccurate. The amount of the Secret Service expenditure has remained the same for the last five years.