HC Deb 22 June 1921 vol 143 cc1371-2
112. Captain REDMOND

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the interest payable by the Treasury on the items mentioned in the Ministry of Munitions Appropriation Account, 1919–20, White Paper No. 102, consolidated balance sheet of national factories, appearing on page 13, purporting to estimate the investment thereunder at a sum exceeding £48,000,000, has been charged against the operations of national factories on the total production statement of national factories appearing on page 14 of the same White Paper?

Mr. YOUNG

Interest is not included in these figures. It was desired to secure accounts from these national factories in a form comparable, so far as possible, with that obtaining for Army and Navy manufacturing establishments. As it has not been the practice to include in those accounts a charge for interest on capital, no such charge was made in the national factories accounts. The subject, however, is again under consideration in connection with the review generally of accounting in regard to trading and manufacturing services.

114. Captain REDMOND

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the items mentioned in the Ministry of Munitions Appropriation Account, 1919–20, White Paper, No. 102, namely, the assets shown in the consolidated balance sheet of national factories, appearing on page 13, is the cost price paid by the Government for the said assets, or whether it is an estimated price for realisations; and, if so, what is the difference between the cost and the estimate?

Mr. YOUNG

The figures shown represent actual cost, and the remainder of the question does not, therefore, arise. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that the Appropriation Account and the statements referred to, together with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General, are fully considered by the Select Committee on Public Accounts.