§ 53. Major GODFREY COLLINSasked the Prime Minister if he will now give a day for the discussion of the expenditure resolution standing in the names of 190 Members or, if that is considered unnecessary, whether he will take steps to set up the Committee?—"That this House is of 606 opinion, in view of the continued growth of Expenditure, Taxation, and Debt, that a Committee be appointed, consisting of Members of this House, with power to review all National Expenditure, examine Ministers and officials, and report to the House."—[Major Godfrey Collins.]
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am prepared later to give a day for the discussion of this subject, but, in view of the pressure of public business, I cannot at present fix a date.
§ 62. Mr. LE1F JONESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the daily average of the total national expenditure on all services for the first ten weeks of the financial year 1917–18?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs the returns for last week are not available, I can only give the figures for the first nine weeks of the financial year 1917–18. in these nine weeks (1st April—2nd June inclusive) the total national expenditure on all services was approximately £496,000,000. This works out at a daily average of £7,884,000.
§ Mr. G. FABERIs there any exceptional reason for this large increase in the estimated expenditure?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes; there are a number of exceptional reasons for this increase, but it is impossible to give them across the floor of the House by way of question and answer.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes; I have every reason to hope that it will be at a less rate, but I said on the Vote of Credit that I was not very sanguine that the-Estimate would not be exceeded.
§ Mr. D. MASONDoes the daily expenditure include advances to the Dominions and Allies?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes; it includes all expenditure, and not merely expenditure out of the Vote of Credit.