HC Deb 07 June 1951 vol 488 cc139-40W
60. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent Treasury control has been relaxed since 1945, as detailed in Sections 16 to 20 of the Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, H.C., No. 183, especially with regard to the extent to which the spending power of the Service Departments had been increased by the depletion of stocks and moneys voted by Parliament have only been used for the purpose specified; and why a period of two years is necessary to resolve these problems.

Mr. Jay

It is not a question of Treasury control, but of furnishing certain certificates to Parliament. For the reasons given in the Committee's Report, the resumption of such certificates is not practicable during the present re-armament period.