HC Deb 20 February 1924 vol 169 c1817W
Sir J. MARRIOTT

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have now decided on the terms of reference to the Committee on Estimates which is to be set up; and whether that Committee will have the continuous assistance of an expert officer possessing functions parallel with those of the Controller and Auditor-General?

The PRIME MINISTER

The terms of reference will, as in former years, beTo examine such of the Estimates presented to this House as may seem fit to the Committee, and to suggest the form in which the Estimates shall be presented for examination and to report what, if any, economies consistent with the policy implied in those Estimates may he effected therein. In my opinion, the analogy drawn between the Controller and Auditor-General and the proposed Examiner of Estimates is not sound, and it is not proposed to appoint such an officer.