§ * MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Finance Accounts and the Statement as to the National Debt will be published.
§ * MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe Finance Accounts are by law required to be presented to Parliament by June 30th. 919 These accounts cannot be got ready for presentation much before that date. The Annual Return relating to the National Debt is in an advanced state of preparation, and I hope it will he in the hands of Members before long.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONShall we have them before the Second Reading of the Finance Bill?
* MR. AUSTENCHAMBERLAINThat is hardly likely so far as the Finance Accounts are concerned. With regard to the Debt Return I have given instructions for that to be pushed forward.as rapidly as possible.
§ * MR. McCRAE (Edinburgh, E.)Can we have any estimate of the proposed capital expenditure before the Second Reading?
§ * MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am afraid I cannot give more details than I did in my Budget speech, but if I rind I can do so I will.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Why does it require three months to prepare these accounts? I think we had them in May last year.
§ * MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am afraid I cannot answer that, but if the hon. Gentleman wishes I will inquire of the Department from which I get the information.