HC Deb 21 February 1952 vol 496 cc528-9

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £10, be granted to Her Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1952, for certain shipping and inland transport services, including settlement of outstanding war-time commitments.

The Minister of Transport (Mr. John Maclay)

This Supplementary Estimate ends with the very small token requirement of £10. As hon. Members will see, the net additional expenditure of £1,899,000 will be met entirely out of increased appropriations-in-aid, except for the £10.

Taking the different sub-heads one by one, perhaps I may give a very short explanation. I shall be very glad to answer any questions later in the debate. The first sub-head "Current Expenses," is the largest additional amount—£2,092,000, representing extra costs of hire and operation of troopers, mainly because of an extended trooping programme to the Far and Middle East. There is also included in this some allowance for increased prices. This expenditure is recovered in full from the Service Departments.

The second item—"Shipping (War Terminal), Hire and Expenses of Ships," Sub-head E.1—relates entirely to the settlement of certain outstanding obligations in respect of hire and expenses of ships incurred during the war which we now hope to clear a little sooner than we had expected. Against this expenditure we shall offset additional receipts from war-time earnings which will reduce the net charge to the Government by more than half.

Then there are the two remaining smaller items requiring an additional provision of £62,000 under Sub-head H for reimbursement to authorities of the cost of the removal of defence works causing obstruction on railways and docks, and a provision of £35,000 under Sub-head I which is needed in connection with the provision of certain safety equipment to be placed in reserve for certain merchant marine crews in the event of an emergency and for meeting part of the cost of the measures designed to increase the safety of certain ships in war-time.

I do not think there is very much more I can add to this explanation at this stage. If there is any other information I can give and that hon. and right hon. Gentlemen desire to have, I shall certainly try to give it.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £10, be granted to Her Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1952, for certain shipping and inland transport services, including settlement of outstanding war-time commitments.