HC Deb 09 December 1970 vol 808 cc416-7
40. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council when he intends to move to establish the new Select Committee on Expenditure.

Mr. Whitelaw

I am, of course, aware of the importance of this matter and am concerned that the Committee should be set up with the minimum of delay. I cannot say exactly when that will be, however, because discussions are still taking place.

Mr. Hamilton

Will the Committee be set up this Session, because it is very important that it should be set up in sufficient time to consider the Government's White Paper on Public Expenditure so that the House can have a meaningful debate on the matter?

Mr. Whitelaw

I entirely share the hon. Gentleman's view; and it will be.

Mr. Stratton Mills

In considering this matter will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the previous Sub-Committees of the Estimates Committee which did so much work in the last Session of Parliament and which are anxious to have their reports published? Will my light hon. Friend consider the mechanism for this?

Mr. Whitelaw

In the debate on the Green Paper on Select Committees I gave the assurance that all the previous work of various Committees would be used in the new structure. That will certainly be the position.