HC Deb 11 March 1970 vol 797 cc1341-2
42. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council when he intends to publish proposals for the establishment of specialist committees to deal with the control of public expenditure, as recommended by the Select Committee on Procedure.

Mr. Peart

I have nothing yet to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 11th February.—[Vol. 795, c. 341.]

Mr. Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend give a progress report on this? Will he give an undertaking that there will be a debate on the Floor of the House on the Government's proposals, and that they will get off the ground and be implemented before the next General Election?

Mr. Peart

I agree that it is an important matter, but it is essential that the Government be given time to consider the proposals fully. As soon as we are ready with firm proposals we shall put them before the House, and I will consider sympathetically the question of a debate.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that for example, the question of how many clerks are needed to serve specialist committees is decided by the House of Commons and not by an outside authority, even the Treasury?

Mr. Peart

Of course, finally, the House has control. There has been a big improvement in the number of clerks, and facilities are being provided for the new Select Committees which we have already set up.