HC Deb 29 November 1948 vol 458 cc151-2W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the expenditure incurred by the National Savings Committee, by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and by universities and colleges, etc., Great Britain, was not covered by a vote of this House.

Sir S. Cripps

On the assumption that the Question refers to expenditure of public funds, the answer is "None," except for certain grants to Oxford and Cambridge Universities charged on the Consolidated Fund under the Crown Lands Act, 1866, and published on page 39 of the Finance Accounts, 1947–48.

Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, between 1932–33 and 1948–49, the estimate for the vote of the National Savings Committee increased from £100,000 to £1,100,000, for that of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, from £500,000 to £3,300,000 and for that of universities and colleges, etc., Great Britain, from £1,700,000 to £12,000,000; how much of these increases were covered by statutory authority, other than the Appropriation Act; and whether he will insist that in future similar sums shall be covered by statutory authority.

Sir S. Cripps

There is no statutory authority other than the Annual Appropriation Act, for the expenditure of these sums. The recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee in its Report dated 27th July, 1948, that statutory authority should be obtained, is under consideration by the Treasury. The result will be contained in the Treasury Minute that will be issued in the normal course in January next.