HC Deb 07 July 1948 vol 453 cc510-1

Resolution, reported: Whereas it appears by the Army Appropriation Account for the year ended the 31st day of March 1947, that the aggregate Expenditure on Army Services has not exceeded the aggregate sums appropriated for those Services and that, as shown in the Schedule hereto appended, the net surplus of the Exchequer Grants for Army Services over the net Expenditure is £34,382,750 16s. 3d. namely:—

£ s. d.
Total Surpluses 42,865,286 15 0
Total Deficits 8,482,535 18 9
Net Surplus £34,382,750 16 3
And whereas the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury have temporarily authorised the application of so much of the said total surpluses on certain Grants for Army Services as is necessary to make good the said total deficits on other Grants for Army Services. That the application of such surpluses be sanctioned. [For details of Schedule see OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd July, 1948; Vol. 452, c. 2487–88.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."—[Mr. M. Stewart.]

10.33 p.m.

Mr. Grimston (Westbury)

I have one question to ask on this Resolution. In the Schedule under the heading No. 15, there is an amount getting on towards a million pounds—£820,537 to be exact—and—

Mr. Speaker

This is only a matter of surplus details and that cannot be discussed on this Motion.

Mr. Grimston

Can I be allowed to ask how the surplus has arisen?

Mr. Speaker

This is of an accounting nature, and there can be no discussion on that. I have never known any discussion on a Vote of this kind. The only question which can be asked is whether the surplus can be set off against the deficits, without any detail.

Mr. Grimston

One cannot, then, inquire how the surplus has arisen?

Mr. Speaker

No; that can never be done on this Motion.