§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he will explain the increase in the item for travelling expenses in the Vote for the Office of Works from £2,800 to.£.3,450; will he say how much of this money is to be expended for travelling in foreign countries; and will he arrange for the expenditure in each country to be given in future Estimates.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sThe increase is duo to several causes. (1) the greater amount of travelling by the officers in the Far East, in the supervision and inspection of the works and buildings —now very numerous—in China, Japan, and Siam; (2) the removal expenses of certain of the Home staff of surveyors from one district to another, in connection with re-arrangements; (3) additional visits of inspection to various Embassy buildings on the continent. All these increases are in the interest of efficient administration. Of the total, £3,450, travelling in foreign countries will absorb approximately £930. It would not be practicable to give the estimate for each foreign country, visits to several countries being often included in one journey for the sake of economy and convenience.