4 MARCH 1922, Page 1

In the House of Commons, on 'Wednesday, Sir Robert Horne

made a long statement explaining the Government's policy on economy. He paid tributes to the Geddes Committee, but the sense of his speech was that the Government could not reduce expenditure by the amount recommended by that Committee. We greatly regret this decision, though we hardly expected anything else. The Government have had their opportunity, and they have made a great refusal. The Committee recommended savings amounting to about £86,000,000. The Government proposed to accept recommendations up to the amount of £64,003,000. Even this, however, will not all be saved next year, as Sir Robert Home declared that there would be difficulties. The paving* for next year are therefore reduced to £54,000,000: I