§ Sir W. Darlingasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in view of the fact that a Supplementary Estimate of £37,839,602 to be voted for science in the year ending 31st March, 1955, indicates an inadequacy in the system of estimating expenditure, what proposals he has to secure more exact forecasts in future.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI understand that my hon. Friend has in mind the amount voted for "services," not for "science." I do not think that the Supplementary Estimate to which my hon. Friend refers indicates inadequacy in the system of estimating. Of the sum now asked for, the greater part is needed because of changes in policy or circumstances which could not have been foreseen at the time when the original Estimates were framed. Among the more important of these changes are the increases in the rates of pensions and National Assistance, the increases in Civil Service pay and the pay of University staffs, the withdrawal of the Teachers Superannuation Bill, and the need for increased grants and loans to Kenya. Over the greater part of the field, therefore, the second part of the Question does not arise. For the rest, I think Departments are fully aware of the need for the closest possible estimating of their requirements. I would point out that the Supplementary sum in question represents an increase of only 1.39 per cent. over the total of the original Estimates.