Expenditure Committee (Role)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 January 1974.

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Photo of Mr James Prior Mr James Prior , Lowestoft 12:00, 15 January 1974

I am sorry. That matter is dealt with at the start of my prepared speech.

The Committee is now set up under a Standing Order. My hon. Friend suggests that its members should be appointed for a whole Parliament. I do not know whether the House would think that that was too restrictive, but I see no major objection to it, and if it is hon. Members' wish I will see that that happens. Generally, however, we reappoint the Committee for each Session and hon. Members who do not wish to serve on it can come off and others can go on. That is a practice which other Select Committees will probably want to follow. In that case, I hope that if we do what is suggested it will not be treated as a precedent.