HC Deb 20 June 1881 vol 262 cc837-8
GENERAL SIR. GEORGE BALFOUR

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he will supply a statement of expenditure during the past few years on new works, and hereafter give a like statement with the Civil Service Estimates, somewhat in the form used for this kind of charge in the Army Estimates?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

Sir, I am afraid that it would be impossible to prepare such a detailed statement of past expenditure as that asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend without a large expenditure of time and labour. If my hon. and gallant Friend will refer to the Appropriation Accounts of Class I, he will see that much of the information which he desires is now given in statements appended to those accounts, and I hope that it will be found possible to make this information more complete in future years. I will consider, when next year's Estimates are in course of preparation, whether a statement similar to that given in the Army Estimates can be presented to Parliament of proposed new works, additions, and alterations, the estimated cost of which exceeds £1,000.