§ 54. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to a comparison between the growth of national and local expenditure, respectively, he can state the amount of the estimated national expenditure for the current year apart from that arising from war debts, war pensions of all kinds, and grants to local authorities; and if he will state also the corresponding amount for the year ended 31st March, 1914?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt is estimated that for Great Britain (excluding Ireland) the National expenditure for the current year, excluding expenditure on the National Debt, war pensions, and the provision for Exchequer grants of all kinds to local authorities, will be approximately £334,000,000. The corresponding figure for the year ending 31st March, 1914, was approximately £133,000,000. As explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Neath (Sir W. Jenkins) on the 9th June, it is not practicable to distinguish war debt from debt incurred on other accounts.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELDo I understand that this total of £334,000,000 includes loans raised and expended on capital account, or is it only the local expenditure from current revenue receipts?