HC Deb 06 May 1937 vol 323 cc1264-5W
Mr. Barnes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the approximate estimated total of expenditure from national funds by grants or loans during 1937–38 in respect of grants to public utility companies under Part I of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929; slum clearance, other housing grants; Commissioners for the Special Areas; grants in respect of unemployment schemes under Part II of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929; agricultural development and subsidies, including land settlement; fishery development; tramp shipping subsidy, ships replacement loans; civil aviation subsidies; light horse breeding; mechanical transport subsidy; and advances to Cunard-White Star line?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

It is not possible to estimate at present what advances will be required to be made to the Cunard-White Star Company in 1937–38. No further loans in respect of ships replacement will be made under Part II of the British Shipping (Assistance) Act, 1935, which has now expired. The total estimated expenditure on the other services referred to is, as shown in the following table, approximately £38 millions.

Statement of estimated expenditure from national funds during 1937–38 in respect of the services specified below.
Service. Estimated expenditure in 1937–38.
£
I. Grants to Public Utility Companies under Part I of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929. 780,000
2. Slum clearance 2,656,000
3. Other housing grants 14,567,000
4. Commissioners for the Special Areas 5,331,000
5. Grants in respect of employment schemes (Part II of Development Act, 1929). 3,700,000
6. Agricultural development and Subsidies, including land settlement. 9,912,000*
7. Fishery development 190,000*
8. Tramp Shipping Subsidy 10†
9. Civil aviation Subsidies 650,000
10. Light horse breeding 5,000
11. Mechanical transport Subsidy 60
37,791,070
* A small proportion of this expenditure will be in the form of loans.
† A token sum. The payments to be made, if any, will be ascertained in the light of the average freight index for the year.