§ 28. Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state what is the estimated total expenditure in Mesopotamia during the present year, exclusive of military expenditure, but including the cost of road and railway construction, 815 building operations, administration, and transport; how much of this money does he anticipate will be raised out of the local revenues; and who will bear the cost of the deficit, if any?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am awaiting final figures of the local revenue and expenditure of Mesopotamia during the current financial year. Such charges as are to be met from Imperial funds will be included in the Supplementary Estimates to be taken on Thursday.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDid the administration of Mesopotamia produce any estimate of what they expected to spend during the present year, or were they given a completely free hand?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOf course, they made their Budget calculations, but there are still some items, as between the two systems, which have not yet been finally determined. I shall be prepared to go into the matter fully later on.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMy question asks for an estimate of the total expenditure. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I applied several times to the India Office when they had charge of this matter, and they could give me no information at all, and can he do nothing?