§ 10. Mr. Liptonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Treasury adopted the practice of demanding estimates of expenditure two years before the money was needed by spending Departments; and whether he will publish such estimates.
Mr. AmoryThe practice of calling for estimates of Supply expenditure by Departments for some two years ahead was initiated by the Treasury in 1949. The studies currently in progress on the subject of control and management of Government expenditure will cover the question of the use of longer-term appraisals of the likely course of that expenditure. Until these studies are completed, I think that we must keep an open mind on the question of the publication of such forecasts.
§ Mr. LiptonHas the Chancellor considered the very interesting remarks made by the Comptroller and Auditor General at the Conference of the Institute of Municipal Treasurers? Does he realise that the House is in a real diffi 656 culty in understanding and controlling the mounting Government expenditure which is now taking place unless it is given an opportunity of knowing about these long-range estimates, as I may call them, in good time?
Mr. AmoryI am aware of the Comptroller and Auditor General's remarks. I would only say that we are very anxious to do everything we can to ensure that the House has the fullest reliable information that can be made available to it so that it can exercise proper control.