§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state the figures in gold roubles of the Russian Budget for the first nine months of the current year; and what are the estimates in millions of gold roubles allotted to the Commissariat for War and the Commissariat for Health respectively?
Mr. HARMSW0RTHA forecast of the Russian Budget was published in the "Izvestia" in December last, and forwarded to the Foreign Office by His Majesty's Agent in Moscow. The following is a copy of this despatch, which contains all the information I have:
Mr. Hodgson to the Marquess Curzon of Kedleston.
(Received 19th December.)
(No. 201.) Moscow, 6th December, 1921.
MY LORD,—I have the honour to report that in an article in "Izvestia" of the 6th instant, the budget of the Russian Soviet Federation for the 1st January—1st September, 1922, which is to be presented to the Congress of Soviets at the end of this month, is discussed.
1. The budget is to be on a basis of gold roubles. Funds will be issued to departments in paper money at a rate to be fixed by the People's Commissary of Finance every three months in accordance with the drop in the value of the rouble.
2. The budget is to be a general budget for the whole Federation. The Federated Republics will be supplied with funds by agreement with the corresponding Commissariat.
3. The local Soviets (municipal and district) are to cover their expenditure by local taxation.
4. The preliminary estimates allow for a total expenditure of 1,403 million gold roubles. Of this amount—
19.1 per cent. is allocated to the Supreme Council of National Economy.
14.8 per cent. is allocated to the People's Commissariat for Communications.
9.4 per cent. is allocated to the People's Commissariat for Food.
6.46 per cent. is allocated to the People's Commissariat for Land.
13.52 per cent. is allocated to the People's Commissariat for War.
A reserve fund of 10 million gold roubles is provided for unforeseen occurrences, e.g., famine, and 13 millions for assistance to local Soviets who may find it impossible to cover their expenditure from their own taxes and other sources of income.
5. The deficit, which is estimated to be 230 million gold roubles, is to be covered by the issue of paper money.
I have, etc.,
R. M. HODGSON.