HC Deb 03 April 1978 vol 947 cc26-7
32. Mr. Silvester

asked the Lord President of the Council if he has proposals for the modification of the control by the Treasury over the House of Commons Estimates.

Mr. Foot

Yes. As announced in the Government's reply to the Eleventh Report of the Expenditure Committee (Cmnd. 7117), the Government have decided to accept the Committee's recommendation that in future the proposed new House of Commons Commission should exercise the role now discharged by Treasury Ministers in relation to expenditure on the services and staff of the House. Accordingly, the House of Commons (Administration) Bill, now before the House, provides that from 1979–80 onwards the Estimate covering this expenditure will be laid before the House by the proposed new House of Commons Commission.

Mr. Silvester

I thank the Leader of the House for that degree of change. Does he think that the proposals are sufficient to restore to the House the power that was foolishly surrendered in 1708—the power to initiate expenditure on matters that the House regards as its concern?

Mr. Foot

I have no doubt that many follies were committed in 1708 by the temporary Tory majority prevailing then, though I am not sure whether it was prior or subsequent to the election of that date. I am eager to reform these follies, but I believe that the House will have the opportunity to examine the Bill, which will mean a real and substantial improvement in the way that the House conducts its affairs.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Will the Leader of the House answer the specific point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester)? Will the House have an opportunity to initiate items of expenditure, or will these still be the subject of a Treasury Minister's blessing?

Mr. Foot

That depends on the form of expenditure involved. There is a division between the forms of expenditure proposed in the Bill. The best way to discuss this is as the Bill goes through. We want the Bill to go through and to be on the statute book this Session. I am sure that hon. Members will show an interest in the way in which the Bill is shaped.