§ MR. MCCRAE (Edinburgh, E.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state if any portion of the interest charged for deficiency borrowings in the years ended 31st March, 1900 590 and 1901, is included in the interest for war expenditure in South Africa; and, if so, whether he can state the amounts so charged for the financial years 1900 and 1901 respectively.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.No portion of the interest charged for deficiency borrowings for the period mentioned in the question is included in the interest for war expenditure in South Africa. It would be impossible to say how much of such borrowing was due to war expenditure and how much to ordinary expenditure. The amounts paid for interest on deficiency advances were:—1899–1900, £23,553 3s. 8d.; 1900–1901, £20,082 3s. 7d.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what account these sums were charged?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThey come in the interest that appears in the accounts of the year.