HC Deb 23 April 1903 vol 121 cc233-4

Let us see how the actual expenditure, as represented by Exchequer issues, compares with the estimated expenditure. In 1902–3 it amounted to £184,484,000, and it therefore exceeded the provision made last year, which was £176,359,000, by £8,125,000. This difference is almost wholly to be accounted for by the supplementary provision for the requirements of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, to which I have just referred. The total expenditure of £184,484,000, however, does not represent the entire outlay for which the State had to provide in 1902–3. Besides this, it handed over to the local authorities revenue amounting to £9,767,000; and it had to find money for expenditure chargeable to capital account, which came to £6,876,000; so that the grand total of the expenditure provided for by the State was no less a sum than £201,127,000. I will not trouble the Committee with the details of the issues on capital account, because the figures have been inserted in the paper in the hands of hon. Gentlemen.