HC Deb 07 March 1902 vol 104 cc716-7
* SIR. CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state what is now the estimate of expenditure in the present financial year, †See (4) Debates, liv., 465. and what the estimate for the next financial year, of the expenditure on capital account by the Admiralty and the War Office under the Naval Works Acts, the Military Works Acts, or otherwise, in addition to any sums repaid by annuities charged on Estimates.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)

I think that any statement of the expenditure during the present year should be reserved until it has closed, and I could not now give any trustworthy estimate of the expenditure for next year. I should be better able to do so a few weeks hence—but I must remind the right hon. Baronet of what I have said before, as to the exceptional difficulty of any accurate forecast in these matters.

* SIR CHARLES DILKE

I think the Chancellor of the Exchequer will admit that it is wise to give some sort of estimate, if possible, in advance. Is he not aware that up to last year an estimate was regularly given, not necessarily an accurate one, but some sort of estimate?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

An estimate has not been given, owing, not to any fault of mine, but to the nature of the work it involves. We cannot possibly forecast how much progress we have made, or how much expenditure is required, and I am very reluctant therefore to give an estimate.