§ 55. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state for the last five years, in respect of the Seychelles, the amounts of expenditure in excess of the Estimates; and in how many cases expenditure requiring his prior approval was undertaken when his approval had not yet been given.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe gross expenditure in excess of amounts provided under separate heads of the Colony Estimates was in
£ 1951 … … … … 71,165 1952 … … … … 91,626 1953 … … … … 29,484 1954 … … … … 22,633 1955 … … … … 42,131 Under-expenditure of the amounts provided under separate heads during the same period totalled:
£ 1951 … … … … 10,524 1952 … … … … 23,758 1953 … … … … 17,059 1954 … … … … 20,904 1955 … … … … 12,062 The figures for 1955 are subject to audit.
In reply to the second part of the Question the Governor has power to approve additional expenditure of up to £375 (Rs.5,000) on any subhead. He also has discretion when the matter is urgent to approve expenditure of over £375 on any individual sub-head without seeking my prior approval which would otherwise be required. No case can be traced of any improper exercise of that discretion.