43. Major NEWMANasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is now able to give the excess of expenditure over receipts in the working of hostels, canteens, and other places of refreshment and recreation erected by or taken over by the Ministry for the financial years 1916–17 and 1917–18; and have the figures arrived at been submitted to the Auditor-General and Comptroller of Accounts?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for having postponed this question. The accounts for canteens under the direct control of the Ministry will be submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor-General this week. They show the following net deficits:
| For the period to 31st March, 1917 | £68,000 |
| For the half-year ending 30th September, 1917 | £46,000 |
| For the half-year ending 31st March, 1918 | £29,000 |
§ In considering these figures it is necessary to remember that the number of canteens was only sixty at the end of the 1599 first period, seventy-seven at the end of the second, and ninety-one at the end of the third. The percentage of the net loss for each of these periods was 20.23 per cent., 13.78 per cent., and 6.43 per cent. respectively. The accounts for the hostels are not yet ready, but special efforts have been made to complete them.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThey are circulated.