HC Deb 13 June 1910 vol 17 cc1043-4
Mr. STEEL-MAITLAND

asked whether, seeing that the total of the proposed Estimates of expenditure on Supply services for the year 1910–11 is more than £10,900,000 in excess of the Estimates for the previous year, and that the sum issued from the Exchequer in the present financial year to meet expenditure on these services, as published in the last issue of the "London Gazette," is more than £1,500,000 less than the sum issued in the similar period of last year, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will state the reason for the difference in the proportion in the two cases between the sum issued up to date and the total estimated expenditure?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I fear that I am quite unable to follow the hon. Member's figures. The Estimates for the current year for Supply services show an increase over the original Estimates for 1909–10 of £9,433,000, or about 7½ per cent.—not £10,900,000. The Exchequer issues for Supply services in the period to 4th June, 1910, show an increase over the corresponding period of 1909–10 of £1,610,00, or about 8¼ per cent.—not a decrease of £1,500,000, as suggested in the question.

Mr. STEEL-MAITLAND

May I ask whether these figures are the same as the figures which appeared in the issues from the Exchequer as published in the "London Gazette," these figures showing the decrease?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I should not like to answer that without seeing the figures. If the hon. Member will give notice of a question I will inquire.