§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the great changes in the system of Army accountancy made by the Army Order of the 26th October, 1909, and its inconsistency with the Army Order of 1st August, 1905; whether this Army Order of 26th October, 1909, was in any way submitted to or brought to the knowledge of the Public Accounts Committee during the last Session of Parliament; and whether, in view of the assurance of Mr. Harris to that Committee in 1909 that any changes which might be made would be of a minor character not affecting the principles laid down by the Public Accounts Committee on 26th May, 1905, he will reconsider the very great and serious changes made by the Order of October, 1909, their inconsistency with the principles laid down by the Public Accounts Committee, and their effect in impairing the responsibility and independence of the chief accounting officer and his staff, and therewith the control of this House over Army expenditure?
§ Sir DANIEL GODDARDasked the Secretary of State for War, in reference to the reorganisation of the Army Accounts Department, whether any appointments to the reconstituted Army Pay Department will be made before the Public Accounts Committee has had an opportunity of reviewing the changes brought into operation by the Royal Warrant of 26th October, 1909?
§ Mr. HALDANEIn reply to this question and to question No. 105, I may remark that it is not possible to deal adequately with a subject of this kind by way of question and answer in the House. I shall deal fully with the whole matter in introducing the Army Estimates next week, and I shall, I think, be able to satisfy my hon. Friends that there is no departure whatever1062W from the principles laid clown by the Public Accounts Committee.