Accounting Officers (Duties)

HC Deb 17 October 1950 vol 478 cc241-2W

Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that the duties of accounting officers of Government Departments are more clearly defined so that the responsibility for the expenditure of public money falls where it can be effectively exercised.

Mr. Jay

In general, I do not think that there is much room for doubt about the scope of the responsibility of accounting officers, and their duties are, indeed, specifically laid down in the Treasury Letters informing them of their appointment. I have, however, noted the comments of the Public Accounts Committee in their Fourth Report for the Session, 1950, on one aspect of this matter. These comments will, of course, be carefully considered by the Treasury, in consultation with other Departments.