ELEVENTH REPORT of the SELECT COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL EXPENDITURE.: Memorandum by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

It seems to me difficult to object to this proposal. The scope of the Committee was considered when it was first appointed in the Autumn of 1939, and the reason for restriction to services directly connected with the war was the fear of the Labour and Liberal parties that a Committee with Terms of Reference covering all expenditure might embark on a roving commission and make an onslaught on the social services. They did not feel that the restriction of the Committee to reporting on economies "consistent with the execution of the policy decided by the Government" was sufficient protection against this risk.