§ Mr. HALESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the refusal of the £200,000 offered by Lady Houston for the specified purpose of air defence, he will consider the possibility in the future of allowing would-be donors to allocate their offers for any 1538W specific cause in which they may be particularly interested?
§ Mr. COOPERNo, Sir. It is the duty of His Majesty's Government to submit to Parliament Estimates for annual expenditure on defence. The increase of such expenditure by private donations would constitute an interference with the responsibilities of His Majesty's Government and with the authority of Parliament, and could not therefore be permitted.