§ 71. Mr. Lowasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the results of the investigations made under his orders, and the orders of his predecessor, into the £58 million currency loss revealed in February, 1947; what disciplinary action has so far been taken; how much of the loss this action covers; and whether investigations are still continuing.
§ Mr. ShinwellI presume that the hon. Member refers to the currency losses which were the subject of exhaustive consideration by the Committee of Public Accounts and were covered in their Second Report for the Session 1946–47. This report was debated in this House and approved on 21st July, 1947. That seems to me to dispose of the matter except in so far as recommendations were made by the Committee. These recommendations, which were contained in paragraph 45 of the Committee's report, have been dealt with in a Treasury minute which has been before the Committee in the current Session, and upon which they will no doubt make a further comment if they think it necessary. In the circumstances I do not think any fresh statement from me at this stage is called for.