§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has observed the statement of his predecessor in introducing the Budget last year that 6.6 millions would be available for the reduction of debt; whether he can now inform the House if, after providing for the capital expenditure involved in the Army, Navy, and Civil Service Estimates, the total indebtedness of the country would be reduced by this sum or by any sum during the present financial year; and, if not, whether he will undertake in the next financial statement to make provision for the expenditure of all kinds, so that official statements made with regard to total I national outlay and indebtedness might be complete and accurate.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe Questions which the hon. Member raises cannot be answered till the close of the financial year, nor do I think that it would in any case be desirable that I should anticipate the financial statement I which it will be my duty to make at the usual time.