EXPLANATION of the Causes of Variation between Expenditure and Grant-contd. The licensee for the sale of newspapers, tobacco, &c., in Greenwich Park failed to take possession of the Kiosk, for which he had contracted to pay an annual sum of 551. for three years. The claim was waived, and the licensee was released from his agreement, as it was evident that he was not in a position to fulfil his obligations (S.18212). EXTRA REMUNERATION (exceeding 501.). An Assistant (2001-5001.) at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, received 611. for lectures delivered. Lionel Earle, H.M. Office of Works, 21 November 1923. I have examined the above Account in accordance with the provisions of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1921. I have obtained all the information and explanations that I have required, and I certify, as the result of my audit, that in my opinion the above Account is correct. Malcolm G. Ramsay, Comptroller and Auditor General. STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON NEW WORKS, ETC., 1922-23. I. 1. Total estimate, 10,4707.; expenditure to 31 March 1923, 7,4481. 7s.; balance, 3,0211. 13s. I. (21-22). Some accounts did not come in course of payment until after the close of the previous year, in which provision for their payment had been made. Total (revised) estimate, 10,9701. (S.12656); expenditure to 31 March 1923, 11,0217. 3s. 1d.; excess, 511. 3s. 1d. II. 1. Completed, but all accounts could not be disposed of within the year, and there will therefore be a further charge in the accounts for 1923-24. III. 1. See details following. III. 2. Requirements cannot be estimated with accuracy. STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON NEW WORKS, ETC., 1922-23-contd. F.III. 1.-WORKS COSTING BETWEEN £500 AND £2,000. Hyde Park, Victoria Gate: Improvement of entrance, and provision of new gates.. Estimated cost, 2,000l. Not completed. .. Hyde Park, Coalbrookdale Gate: Improvement of entrance, and provision of new gates .. 729 17 4 Estimated cost, 1,300l. Completed, further charges to come. There St. James's Park: New refreshment kiosk 860 3 7 Estimated cost, 9501. Completed, further charges to come. £3,161 1 1 F. III. 3.-URGENT UNFORESEEN WORKS. Hampton Court Park: Conversion of Rickyard Lodge into cottage for park-keeper, and dressing room for games ground Estimated cost, 1,000l.; expenditure to 31 March, 1923, Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens: Adaptations to existing iron shed to provide temporary lecture room for young gardeners Estimated cost, 5601.; expenditure to 31 March 1923, 198 5 1 12 11 11 £210 17 STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON NEW WORKS, ETC., 1922-23-contd. 1. Provision for completion was included in the estimate for 1923–24. Total (revised) estimate, 3,6007.; expenditure to 31 March 1923, 1,1527. 2s. 11d.; balance 2,4471. 17s. 1d. 2. St. James's Park, Marlborough Gate: Setting back wall: expenditure to 31 March, 1923, 201. 5s. 6d. Estimated cost, 1,2001. The programme was curtailed. 3. Demands were curtailed. H.M. Office of Works, 21 November 1923. Lionel Earle, Accounting Officer. HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ACCOUNT of the Sum Expended, in the Year ended 31 March 1923, compared with the Sum Granted, for Expenditure in respect of the HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. EXPLANATION of the Causes of Variation between Expenditure and Grant. A.-See Statement of New Works. B.-Due to general reduction in costs, to the omission of repairs to vaulting due to recesses being too short to allow of work being carried out, to the abandonment of external painting to roofs, and to savings on the provision for the restoration of the roof of Westminster Hall (10,0007). BB-As part of a general scheme for the relief of unemployment, an accelerated programme of work of a maintenance character was undertaken, the chief items being :-heating, 1,000; rewiring for electric light, 9007.; road work, 6501.; painting, 3507.; repairs to stone and brick work, 3501. C. The maintenance of the Victoria Tower Garden cost less than anticipated, its restoration after the demolition of the temporary buildings which had been erected there during the war not being completed so early as expected (2101.). Provision made for the removal of snow from the approaches generally was not required (3451.). D-Due to lower prices and reduced consumption of fuel, to fall in the cost of household articles, and to the cost of lighting being 8007., below anticipation, and to the provision of 3501. for extra cost of water estimated to follow the revision of the Metropolitan Water Board's charges not being required. Requirements under this subhead are necessarily dependent upon the duration of the Parliamentary sittings. E. The estimate was intended to provide for the replacement of Police by civilian watchmen on the basis of six months' payment for each class falling due within the year. The actual payments, however, covered an additional quarter in the case of the watchmen (to 31 March, 1923), but apart from this, the estimate was, owing to a misapprehension, insufficient by 5001. F.-Due to general economy and to reduced cost of labour in connexion with maintenance of furniture, carpets, &c. |