§ MR.BOLAND (Kerry, S.)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in the estimate that the Maltese Government had also to its credit on the 29th of February last the net surplus brought forward from the year 1902–3, viz.: £19,416, the item of £22,939 19s. 10¾d., which is set out in the debtor side of the Treasury Account, is referred to; whether, in the statement of expenditure for the period at £363,279, the ordinary and special advances and waterworks department stores, which together a nount to £18,852, are included; and whether he will supply a copy of the balance-sheet issued on 29th February and of the statements which accompanied it.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lytteton.) The net surplus of revenue over expenditure for the year 1902–3, viz.: £19,416, is included in the item of £22,939 to which the hon. Member refers. Consequently, if the Colonial Government had 454 had to sell all its investments in Imperial and Colonial Funds on the 29th February the surplus after meeting its liabilities in respect of depreciation would have been £12,780, i.e. the difference between the excess of revenue over expenditure for the period to the 29th February, viz.: £48,385, and the net deficit on the investments, i.e. £35,605, and I desire to correct my reply of the 28th June to this extent. The ordinary and special advances and waterworks department stores are not included in the expenditure account of £363,279 to which the hon. Member refers. A copy of the Gazette containing a copy of the balance-sheet as on the 29th February and of the statements which accompanied it, is enclosed.