HC Deb 22 February 1937 vol 320 cc1788-9

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £10, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1937, for the Expenses of the Survey of Great Britain and of minor Services connected therewith.

11.19 p.m.

Mr. W. S. Morrison

This Supplementary Estimate arises from the fact that in recent months there has been a greatly increased demand made upon this fund by reason of the requirements of the Services and of the Tithe Commission. That is the cause of the original gross Estimate being exceeded but the appropriations in aid for this extra work will it is confidently anticipated exceed the expenditure, and this is therefore a token Vote.

11.20 p.m.

Mr. Attlee

Will the right lion. Gentleman say something with regard to the savings on this Vote? All we have had is an increase in the pay and allowances for the ordnance survey for preliminary purposes and a reduction of the ordinary pay. The survey, particularly in urban areas, ought to be brought up to date.

11.21 p.m.

Mr. Morrison

I can only say in answer to the right hon. Gentleman that the savings in pay and allowances are consequent on the establishment of military staff engaged in survey work having been incomplete throughout the greater part of the year, and consequently we did not get the number of, military officers that we thought we should get. The same thing is true as to the pay of the civil side. Recruitment for the additional staff which we thought we should get for this work has proved slower than was anticipated. It is due to our not having been able to get either on the military or the civil side the personnel which we hoped to get that we have made the savings.

11.23 p.m.

Mr. Benson

But here you are increasing the amount paid to the military staff, therefore there cannot be the same explanation as there is for the saving on the civil staff. They are putting on 12 men extra, as well as putting on the staff estimated.

Mr. Morrison

Yes, but we thought we should have the original number for a greater part of the year than we were able to have on the military side as well as on the civil side.

Mr. Benson

The Minister says that in the original Estimate they made allowance for having more military staff than they actually got, but the Estimate includes an Excess Vote for military wages. If the right hon. Gentleman's explanation is correct, a saving should have been shown.

Question, That a Supplementary Sum, not exceeding £10, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1937, for the Expenses of the Survey of Great Britain and of minor Services connected therewith, put, and agreed to.

Ordered,"That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—[Captain Margesson.]

Resolutions to be reported To-morrow.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.