§ MR. FELLI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if the reduction in the national indebtedness referred to in the Budget statement will be affected, if the receipts into the Exchequer estimated in the Budget are not realised.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGENo, Sir. The sums applicable to the reduction of debt, referred to in the Budget statement, consisted mainly of the realised surplus of 1907–8 and the capital included in the fixed debt charge for the current year. The amounts available from these sources are not dependent on the realisation of the Budget Estimate of revenue. So far as I can see at present, the Budget arrangements with regard to the reduction of debt are not likely to be interfered with.