COLONEL STANLEYasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Military preparations recently ordered will cause an excess of expenditure beyond that contemplated in the Estimates already presented to Parliament; and, if so, whether, and when, it is intended to propose a Vote of Credit, or a Supplementary Estimate, to meet such excess?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, in reply to the right hon. Gentleman, I have to state that the arrangements which it has been necessary to make in anticipation of preparing troops for active service have led me to vary somewhat the current programme, especially in regard to purchasing stores in anticipation of later requirements during the 3'ear. Should these arrangements not be followed by the troops being employed on active service, I do not at present anticipate any excess over the printed Estimates, as there will be, in that case, savings on certain Votes, especially on that for the Autumn Manœuvres, which have been abandoned. If I should be disappointed in this respect, and it should appear that any excess on the Estimates will result from the preparations, a Supplementary Vote will be proposed. Of course, in the event of active operations, it would be at once necessary to ask Parliament for a considerable Vote.