Extract from a letter from George McGrath [Accountant General]

A Chara,
[Matter omitted]

With reference to your suggestion that it would be useful to discuss Mr. Fawsitt's report: I have gone into the latter and find his recommendations excellent, but I do not agree with him in his suggestion that the Foreign Office should have passed to it the total amount of the Foreign Affairs Vote at the beginning of each half year. The reason I do not agree with him is this : my past experience with Foreign Affairs has convinced me that as regards the handling of cash the Foreign Affairs office has a disinclination to keep accounts properly. Under the present system the Department of Finance honours all applications from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately upon receipt, and under the conditions at present prevailing I think it is safer to keep to this system.
[Matter omitted]