§ Sir O. THOMASasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a serious deficit exists in the budget of the current year of Kenya Colony; and, if so, what financial steps are contemplated to meet the deficit?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe Kenya Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year balanced at £3,192,327 which, after allowing for the change in local currency, represents an increase of about 50 per cent, over the figures for1484W the previous year. There is reason to believe that the estimated railway revenue cannot be realised without an increase of rates of which in the interests of the development of the colony and Uganda the Secretary of State has felt unable to approve. On the other hand, it is expected that there will be savings in expenditure, and until detailed revised Estimates are received it is not possible to say what deficit, if any, there will be.