§ Motion made, and Question proposed,
2. "That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £10, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1916, for Pay, etc., of the Army."
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)My right hon. Friend has given so full and clear an explanation of the reason why the Supplementary Estimates are presented in this form that it is unnecessary for me to say anything in regard to that matter, except to state how glad I was to hear the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee give the practice his blessing. I have only a couple of words of explanation to add. The Estimates for 1914–15 showed that we anticipated an estimated Appropriation-in-Aid of £3,668,200. We have, as a matter of fact, come to the Committee with Appropriations-in-Aid amounting to £18,000,000—a very large increase indeed. I think it only right to give the main item without going into details, and I hope the Committee will not press for detail, but will be content with the main items of the increase. These are, as my right hon. Friend explained, sums which we have received from various sources in repayment for services rendered. We have received from India a sum of six millions sterling, including a very generous contribution from the Native States. We have received from the Colonies a very considerable sum, and I think the Committee will never forget that in addition to the splendid contribution which the Dominions 1085 have made in men, they have undertaken to bear, as far as possible, every penny of the cost. That accounts for a very large sum out of the Appropriation-in-Aid. We have received from the Allied Governments, in return for services rendered, a further large sum. I do not know that the Committee will expect me to go into further details. I rather hope it will not. These are the main sources from which this money has come, and I trust the Committee will, under the circumstances, agree to the Vote.
§ Colonel LOCKWOODIt is perfectly evident that the Committee is not in a mood to extract further information than has been given by the representatives of the Government on this subject, which is surrounded with difficulties, even if we wish to go more fully into the matter. I do not propose, therefore, to offer any criticism, but I think the Committee may join with the hon. Gentleman the Financial Secretary to the War Office in his expression of deep gratitude to the Colonies and the Native States who have assisted us not only with men, but also been ready to do so with money.
§ Question put, and agreed to.