In the House of Commons on Friday, August 7th, there
was a debate on economy in which Mr. Churchill, who was rather too chastened for our liking, explained the difficulties of economy, though he did not excuse the present excessive expenditure. He showed that out of £223,000,000 spent on the Civil Services all but £54,000,000 was accounted for by social services. He pointed out that a 25 per cent. cut in officials would save only £3,000,000—which was, of course, worth saving, but could not be called sensational. If sensational methods became inevitable there would have to be heavy in- creases of direct taxation earmarked for debt repayment so as to equalize the sacrifices of all classes. Meanwhile a committee of three—Lord Colwyn, Lord Chalmers and Lord Bradbury—has been appointed to overhaul the expenditure of the Fighting Services. Lord Colwyn, who is a rubber and cotton manufacturer and chairman of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank, has served most efficiently in several Government inquiries. Lord Brad- bury was Joint Permanent Secretary to the Treasury throughout the War, represented Great Britain on the Reparation Commission, and is Chairman of the Food Council. Lord Chalmers has been Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, Permanent Secretary to the Treasury and Governor of Ceylon.
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