HC Deb 29 February 1960 vol 618 cc808-10
30. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the Comptroller and Auditor-General's comments, on pages vi and vii of his report on the Civil Appropriation Accounts, 1958–59, Classes I-V, on the abortive expenditure of £41,109 upon the reconstruction of the operating department of a teaching hospital, which had to be abandoned; and on what assurances the scheme was approved.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I think that perhaps it would be in accordance with the wishes of this House that comment on this Report should await the normal process of investigation by Parliament through the Committee of Public Accounts of matters brought to their notice by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

Mr. Robinson

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman say when the reply is expected? This is quite an extraordinary case. It has been reported on by the Comptroller and Auditor-General. It was a development originally scheduled to cost £50,000. Then it went up to £200,000. It was then found that the building was not strong enough to support the existing stories, let alone an additional storey, and £40,000 of public money was wasted. Is it unreasonable to ask when the right hon. and learned Gentleman is going to send in his reply?

Mr. Walker-Smith

This is following the ordinary course of matters reported on by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, The Public Accounts Committee will consider the matter and examine officers of my Ministry about this report. When the Committee has completed its investigation, it reports to the House. That is the normal traditional procedure, and I would be reluctant by any Answer of mine to trespass on that procedure.

Sir G. Nicholson

Does my right hon. and learned Friend hold the view that a Minister is inhibited from answering strictures or comment by the Comptroller and Auditor-General until the Public Accounts Committee has made its own inquiry? It does not necessarily follow that the Committee will inquire into this particular point—it may not have time. In any case, the report has already been made to this House.

Mr. Walker-Smith

This is a nice point of Parliamentary constitutional procedure which, perhaps, would be more appropriately addressed to you, Mr. Speaker. There is, so far as I am aware, no legal inhibition against a Minister answering a Question while a matter which is the subject of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor-General is awaiting examination in the Committee. Therefore, the hon. Mem- ber for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) was perfectly correct in putting this Question down, but I think the ordinary procedure is that I await the conclusion of the Public Accounts Committee's proceedings before ventilating the matter here.

Sir G. Nicholson

On a point of order. My right hon. and learned Friend did bring your name into this, Mr. Speaker. Have you any comments?

Mr. Speaker

I do not want to rule on it now without having looked into it. I think that the House would like to get on.