I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £6,600 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1944, for Secret Service.
Committee on Finance. - Vote 18—Secret Service.
I have been looking through the Appropriation Accounts over a fairly long period and there is one thing that strikes me as being rather funny. Why is it that a sum of £20,000 has been put up for Secret Service during the past couple of years, notwithstanding the fact that over a number of years previously not even half that sum has been expended? Some of us approach the consideration of this Vote with a good deal of suspicion. At any rate, what is the use of taxing the citizens of this State for the purpose of raising double the amount that has been spent over a long period?
Well, you could not come in with a Supplementary Estimate for this Service.
Will the Minister bear that in mind when he is arranging his Estimate for the next financial year?
I cannot make any promise.
Question put and agreed to.