§ 32. Sir HARRY BRITTAINasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the total sum provided in the Defence Estimates for 1929–30 for pay, pensions, and allowances as compared with the provision for similar payments in 1913–14; and how the remainder of defence expenditure compares for the two years in question, allowance being made in each case for the change in the value of money?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)As the answer is rather long, and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the Answer:
§ The gross amounts provided in the Defence Estimates on account of pay, pensions and allowances (other than those in lieu of services normally provided in kind) were approximately £35,310,000 in 1913–14, and £73,353,000 in 1929. These 1054 figures include pay of reserves and salaries and wages of civilians as well as service pay. The gross remaining expenditure on Defence, as provided in the Estimates for these years, is £47,459,194 and £55,338,500 respectively. In order to arrive at the net totals of Estimates, Appropriations-in-Aid amounting to £6,739,894 and to £16,081,500 should be deducted from the gross total expenditure for all purposes for 1913 and 1929 respectively. Owing to the changes in the organisation and composition of the Defence Forces, and particularly to the creation of the Royal Air Force, it is difficult to make an exact comparison of the cost for the two years in question in terms that take account of the change in the value of money. The actual increase in net Effective Votes, however, is £27,9631,000, or just over 40 per cent., which would be more than accounted for by the altered value of money, even if no regard were paid to the large additional expenditure necessitated by the development of the Air Force.