§ 20. Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will explain the reason of the increase in the estimated cost of stationery and printing from £186,000 in 1925 to £210,000 for 1926?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)The Estimate of £186,000 for 1925–26 was too optimistic. It is now estimated that the expenditure for the current financial year will be about £202,000. The actual expenditure for the previous year amounted to about £207,000. In the forthcoming year there is an addition of £8,800 for the cost of engraving charts, which is transferred for the first time from Navy Vote 6 to the Vote for Stationery and Printing. This accounts for the Estimate of £210,000 for the next financial year.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHIs there any special reason for the increase?
§ Mr. McNEILLI have just given my hon. Friend the reason.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHCan the right hon. Gentleman give any definite reason for the large increase in printing and stationery, and is it not possible to reduce it?
§ Mr. McNEILLIt was under-estimated last year.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs not my right hon. Friend of opinion that he would get greater efficiency, greater economy and greater despatch if he would put the work out to contract?