§ 63. Mr. Asshetonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proposed administrative economies are to be related to the net sums granted to the various Departments in the Appropriation Act, 1949, or to the as yet 1400 unpresented Estimates for the financial year 1950–51.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)As my right hon. and learned Friend said in his speech in the House on 26th October, we cannot expect the programme of economies to come into full effect in the current financial year but it will be fully effective next year.
§ Mr. AsshetonThat does not quite answer my Question. Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether in fact they are related to the net sums granted last year?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallObviously they will bear some relation to the Estimates which have been presented to the House for this year, which is the year I think the right hon. Gentleman means. It will mean, possibly, that fewer Supplementary Estimates will thus have to be presented.
§ Mr. AsshetonAre the economies related to the Estimates for next year or are they related to expenditure in the current year? This is most important.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThey will become fully effective next year. By that I mean that the Estimates next year will be less than they otherwise might have been.
§ Mr. AsshetonIn other words, they are not related to the expenditure during this year at all?