Motion made, and Question proposed, That a Select Committee be appointed to examine the current expenditure defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament for the Defence Services, for Civil Defence, and for other services directly connected with the war, and to report what, if any, economies consistent with the execution of the policy decided by the Government may be effected therein."—[Mr. James Stuart.]

8.18 p.m.

Mr. J. J. Davidson:

I do not raise any objection to this Committee carrying out the function we desire it to carry out, but I rise to ask why only two Scottish Members of the House are appointed on a committee of 28.

We are now only on the preliminary question of the appointment of the Committee. The question of the names will be put separately.

Question put, and agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Committee do consist of Twenty-eight Members."—[Mr. J. Stuart.]

Mr. Davidson:

I do not raise this question from the point of view of Scottish nationalism, but from the point of view of having the best committee we can to look after this important part of national work. This is a committee to look after the expenditure on Defence Services and Civil Defence. In the past the Government will agree that Scotsmen have proved themselves capable enough of dealing with such a question. We have a group in the House of Commons of 73 Members who come from the country which is at present more involved in the war than any other part of the British Empire. More attacks are being made on Scotland than on the other parts of the country, and there is necessity for a greater interest to be shown in its defence. It has been recognised by our enemy as the part of this country which will have to be dealt with first if they are to inflict defeat upon us. It may be that I shall be told that the composition of this Committee was arranged through the usual channels. If that is so, all I want to say is that both sides of the usual channels ought to be completely flooded. There has been a complete neglect of the rights of one of the most important groups in the House, and I hope that if any such committee is set up in future the Government will recognise that Scotland is not so far away, and that its people ought to be adequately represented upon it.

Question, "That the Committee do consist of Twenty-eight Members," put, and agreed to.

Committee nominated of Mr. Ammon, Sir Charles Barrie, Sir Ernest Bennett, Mr. Bossom, Mr. Brooke, Lady Davidson, Mr. Ede, Mr. Alfred Edwards, Sir Geoffrey Ellis, Sir Ralph Glyn, Sir Percy Harris, Mr. Hely-Hutchinson, Mr. Higgs, Sir William Jowitt, Colonel Sir Charles MacAndrew, Sir Adam Maitland, Sir Assheton Pownall, Mr. Pym, Sir George Schuster, Sir John Shute, Mr. Silkin, Sir John Wardlaw-Milne, Sir Harold Webbe, Mr. Graham White, Miss Wilkinson, Sir Herbert Williams, Mr. Woodburn and Sir Robert Young.

Ordered, That Seven be the quorum.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records; to sit not-withstanding any Adjournment of the House; and to adjourn from place to place.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to report from time to time.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to appoint Sub-Committees and to refer to such Sup-Committees any of the matters referred to the Committee.

Ordered, That the quorum of any Sub-Committee so appointed shall be two.

Ordered, That any Sub-Committees so appointed shall have power to send for persons, papers, and records; to sit notwithstanding any Adjournment of the House; and to adjourn from place to place.

Ordered, That any Sub-Committee so appointed shall report any evidence taken by them to the Committee."—[Mr. James Stuart.]