HC Deb 09 April 1930 vol 237 cc2136-7
54. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN - DOYLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what have been the balances of the sums issued as the grants-in-aid to the Empire Marketing Board which have remained unexpended at 31st March in each year; and what was the total remaining of unexpended balances as at 31st March, 1930?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Lunn)

Unexpended balances of sums issued as grants-in-aid of the Empire Marketing Fund have been as follow:

£ s. d.
At 31st March, 1927 … 365,224 3 1
At 31st March, 1928 … 361,983 5 0
At 31st March, 1929 … 301,333 11 10
It is not yet possible to say what will be the final expenditure for the financial year just ended, and, therefore, what unexpended balance will remain available; but for the purpose of the estimate for 1930 it has been calculated that the balance may be expected to be in the neighbourhood of £250,000. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE: Can the hon. Gentleman say to what use it is proposed to put the unexpended balances when they are ascertained?

Mr. LUNN

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to put down another question on that matter.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Can the hon. Gentleman give information to the House as to the probable use to which the balance will be put?

Mr. LUNN

I am not asked that question.

Sir ASSHETON POWNALL

Are these balances surrendered to the Treasury as usual, or are they carried forward to a subsequent year?

Mr. LUNN

The unexpended balances up to now have not been carried over to the Treasury.