18. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is in a position to give the figures of the income and expenditure of the Government of Newfoundland during the 10 months ended 30 April, 1938; and how much of the expenditure has been applied to the sinking fund for the repayment of the public debt?
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Lord Stanley)The returns for April are not yet available, but the figures for the nine months ending 31st March were: Revenue, $9,036,000; Expenditure, $9,328,000. No part of the expenditure was applied to the sinking fund in respect of the Newfoundland Guaranteed Stock, the first payment to which, amounting to £178,000, does not become due until 1st July next.
Mr. Creech JonesIs the Noble Lord satisfied with the financial progress that is being made, and will he say how long it will be before something in the nature of a democratic constitution can be restored to the island?
19. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, what is the estimate of the total cost of the air bases for trans-Atlantic air services which are being constructed in Newfoundland; and what percentage of this cost is being borne on the Newfoundland budget?
Lord StanleyI regret that no final estimate is yet available. It has been arranged that one-sixth of the cost, excluding provision for wireless facilities, should be borne on the budget of Newfoundland which will own and control the air bases when they are completed.