PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (NAVY VOTES, 1922-23).

Treasury Minute, dated 22nd January, 1924, under Section 4 of the Appropriation Act, 1922 (12 and 13 Geo. V., c. 32). authorising the temporary application of surpluses on certain Navy Votes for the year 1922-23 to meet excesses on other Navy Votes for the same year.

My Lords read Their minute dated 28th March, 1923, granting authority for excesses on certain Navy Votes for the year 1922-23 being met out of surpluses on certain other Votes for the same year. They have now before Them a letter from the Admiralty, dated the 7th December, 1923, setting out the realised surpluses and excesses on Grants for Navy Services, 1922-23, accompanied by explanations showing that it would have been detrimental to postpone the expenditure causing the excesses (as shown hereunder) until provision could be made for it by Parliamert in the usual course; and proposing therefore to defray the said excesses temporarily out of surpluses.

STATEMENT OF REALISED SURPLUSES AND EXCESSES ON GRANTS FOR NAVY SERVICES, 1922-23.

Chief Causes of
Variation.

Due mainly to average rates of pay of Officers and men and expenditure on special and good conduct pay having been higher than estimated and to the extension of the system of payment of kit up-keep allowance with wages; modified by savings due to numbers underborne and reduc tion of coastguard personnel.

(1) Large payments were made to contractors in respect of cancellation of orders as the result of the decisions of the Washington Conference; (2) Other payments were made in connection with the cancellation of contracts for warships, and with the requisition of three vessels during the

war;

(3) The final cost of one of H.M. Ships was in excess of the contribution from the Colony at whose expense it was built. The excess was modified by slow progress on the building of ships, and by economies effected in the settlement of war contracts.

Due mainly to the charge to this Vote of part of the cost of work undertaken by the Admiralty in connection with the reconstruction of Belgian ports and to clearance of various outstanding war liabilities; modified by savings on conveyance of personnel and lodging allowances and by less expenditure on compensation for damage caused by H.M. Ships.

Due mainly to gratuities under the special retirement schemes for surplus officers being greater than anticipated. Balances irrecoverable and claims abandoned generally.

Under the powers conferred upon Them by Section 4 of the Appropriation Act, 1922, My Lords authorise the foregoing excesses being defrayed temporarily out of the foregoing surpluses in substitution for the authority given in Their Minute dated the 28th March, 1923.

(46212) Wt. 26316-660 750 2/24 H. St. G. 17

COPY of TREASURY MINUTE, dated the 29th March, 1924, under Section 4 of the Appropriation Act, 1923 (13 and 14 Geo. V., c. 35) authorising the temporary application of surpluses on certain NAVY VOTES for the Year 1923-24 to meet excesses on other NAVY VOTES for the same year.

Treasury Chambers,

WILLIAM GRAHAM.

31 March, 1924.

(Presented pursuant to the Resolution of the House of Commons of 4 March, 1879.)

Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be printed,
31 March, 1924.

LONDON:

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or 120, George Street, Edinburgh;

or through any Bookseller.

1924

Price 2d. Net.

49.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS (NAVY VOTES, 1923-24.)

Treasury Minute dated the 29th March, 1924, under Section 4 of the Appropriation Act, 1923, 13 and 14 Geo. V., c. 35 authorising the temporary application of Surpluses on certain Navy Votes for the year 1923-24, to meet Excesses on other Navy Votes for the

same year.

My Lords have before Them a letter from the Admiralty dated the 19th instant setting out the probable surpluses and excesses on Grants for Naval Services, 1923-24, accompanied by explanations showing that it would be detrimental to the public service to postpone the expenditure causing those excesses (as detailed hereunder) until provision could be made for it by Parliament in the usual course; and proposing to defray such excesses temporarily out of surpluses.

Due to higher average rates of pay of Naval Officers and ratings than allowed for, variation in the relative proportions of Naval Officers, Men and Boys, increased average numbers of Coast Guard partly due to the retention under Admiralty control of Stations at which Lloyds signalling is performed, and additional expenditure on Field Allowances on acco nt of the continuance of disturbed conditions in the Near East beyond the period originally anticipated, modified by savings due to a reduction in the average numbers and rates of pay of Royal Marines, reduced expenditure in connection with Exchange Compensation, reduced numbers of Recruiting Staff and smaller requirements on account of Marriage Allowance.

Due to extra expenditure on wages at Home Yards consequent on the rates of war increase being above the Estimate figures and to the entry of extra staff with a view to overtaking arrears of work and also relieving unemployment, to slightly increased expenditure on contingencies and to work carried out on repayment being greater than anticipated, modified by savings on wages at Yards abroad, reduced expenditure on salaries due to the fall in cost of living bonus, reduction in numbers, etc., and slightly reduced numbers of police at home and abroad.