HC Deb 13 July 1882 vol 272 cc278-9
MR. SALT

asked the Secretary of State for War, What is the amount of the Vote that he has obtained for the autumn manœuvres?

MR. CHILDERS

The charge for the autumn manœuvres in the current year's Estimates does not appear as a separate item, but is included under various heads. It somewhat exceeds £30,000. The second page of the Estimate will show the items carried up under one head.

MR. RYLANDS

wished to ask, with respect to the money voted for the autumn manœuvres, whether, in the event of the money not being applied to the purpose for which it was voted, it could be otherwise applied without the sanction of Parliament?

MR. CHILDERS

Speaking generally, the War Department, with the approval of the Treasury, have the power of provisionally setting off excesses on one Vote against savings on others, subject to the approval of Parliament.

MR. W. M. SMITH

What authority have you for that?

MR. CHILDERS

The technical rules on this subject could hardly be stated in a reply to a Question.

MR. SALT

I believe the transaction is an exceedingly irregular one in a financial point of view, and I give Notice that, on the next stage of the Budget Bill, I shall draw attention to the matter.