§ Motion made and Question proposed, "That a sum, not exceeding £64,340, be granted to His Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray, the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1919, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Works and Public Buildings."—[NOTE: £100,000 has been voted on account.]
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)On the last occasion when I moved this Vote I thought it only right to give some general statement as to the work of the Department a year before and during a part of the War—work which was largely accomplished by those whose salaries and wages are in the Vote moved to-day in respect of urgent and onerous and responsible duties. I do not think it necessary to detain the Committee at any length with a general statement, as the most interesting portion of the work which is being done by the Office of Works can only and will only be disclosed at the end of the War, and its many activities both in this country and in France on behalf of the War, the new Air Board, the Ministry of Munitions, Shipping Controller, Food Production, and other Departments, will form a great part of the work that has been accomplished. With regard to the Vote itself it shows an increase of some £5,000 over the Estimate of last year, and is practically entirely due to automatic increases;
§ Commander BELLAIRSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman propose to say anything about the National War Museum?
§ Sir A. MONDA statement will be made on that subject on the Vote for Museums, which will come before the House in due course.
§ Question put, and agreed to.