CO

Index-continued.

WOOLWICH. Saving on Mayor's Compensation Fund for Explosion Damages, Kempe,

4403.

WORKS AND BUILDINGS (ARMY ACCOUNTS). Opinion that an undue cost would be involved by submitting a return of staff employed, Wilson and Headlam, 3487-3496 -Treasury sanction for excess expenditure on road construction at Pond Farm, Wilson and Headlam, 3710-3713; the placing of this with Triennial Contractors explained as an error, Wilson, 3704–3716.

Increased inspection of goods prior to payment of contractors' claims, Wilson and Kempe,
3663-3666- -Application for Treasury sanction to write off Over-Payments through
misapplication of Schedule Items, Kempe, 3667, and approval of amendment of terms
of contract, Kempe, Wilson, 3667, 3668.

Saving on Vote 10, Sub-head G, not attributable to closing of Brennan Torpedo
Establishment, Wilson, 3688, 3689 3774 3775- -Departure of War Office from
Regulations resulting in excess cost of a Torpedo Slipway at Cliffe (Thames), Kempe,'
Wilson, Ruck, 3717-3773, 3953-4057, 4088; and censure of Officer responsible, 3719-
3721, 4133-4136.

Justifiable acceptance of highest tender for sinking artesian wells at Portsmouth, and
high cost for this, Ruck, Headlam, 4100-4107- The placing of an order for a well at
Sheerness without tender also justified, and considered economical, ib., 4089-4092,
4097–4099, 4103–4123, 4126-4132------Temporary creation of two new sub-sections
under the Vote for Barrack Construction Department, Wilson and Perry, 4178-4193

-Excess expenditure on Hospital Services, Home and Colonial (Repairs and Maintenance), due to lack of experience owing to recent amalgamation with Barrack expenditure, Wilson, Headlam, 4207-4219-Excess on fortifications and artillery ranges, Wilson, 4219.

Correctness of estimate for Fortifications and Works, Wilson, Headlam, 4321, 4322, 43414344 Treasury sanction for proceeding with an Electrical School at Chatham owing to unexpected progress, Wilson and Perry, 4324-4332, and erection of huts at Kingston, Jamaica, ib., 4333-4340, 4369-4374- -Delay admitted in informing Treasury of expenditure on "Army Ordnance Buildings consequent on Woolwich explosion, Wilson and Headlam, 4345-4349, 4351--Discussion on Vote generally, Wilson, 4363-4368 -Desirability of acquisition of remount farm at Melton Mowbray despite high price; Treasury consent obtained, Headlam and Wilson, 4353-4362. Surplus caused by delay, &c., in works at Strensall (Drainage Scheme), Wilson and Headlam, Measures, 4194-4206, 4233-4251, 4260-4264, 4278, 4298-4320, 4465-4469, 4567, 4568, 4686; Warrington and Ayr, Wilson, Measures, 4194-4206, 4300-4320, 4470, 4687–4690; Aldershot, Devonport, Woolwich, and Rochester Row, Measures, 4471-4474, 4738; Portsmouth Hospital), ab., 4475, 4476, 4509-4535, 4696–4718, 4744; Portsmouth (Stabling), ib., 4476, 4536-4546, 4694, 4695; Netley Hospital, ib., 4477, 4551, 4553, 4556, 4557; Netley Lunatic Asylum, ib., 4553, 4737, 4738; Devonport (Raglan Barracks), ib., 4478; Kingston, ib., 4478, 4479; Woolwich (married quarters), ib, 4480., 4739–4743; Eltham, Wilson and Measures, 4194-4206, 4221, 4232, 4300-4320, 4481, 4558-4563, 4744; Fermoy, Measures, 4482; Cork, b., 4482, 4483; Mullingar, ab., 4484; and Kensington Barracks, ib., 4485.

System of compiling estimates, Wilson, Headlam, and Measures, 4233-4251, 4260-4268, 4285-4287, 4298, 4299, 4492-4500, 4547-4550, 4565, 4566, 4575-4643, 4653-4661, 46734680, 4720-4731.

Explanation of under-expenditure on Grants for Barracks, Hospitals, and New Works, &c., Measures, 4464, 4488-4491, 4497, 4564, 4571, 4644-4652, 4662, 4681-4685-Estimates correct as regards amounts but not as to time of completion, ib., 4501-4504, 4554, 4555, 4569, 4570, 4572- -Greater facility for checking estimates, ib., 4489, 4491, 4505-4507, 4663-4668- Treasury sanction for excess on extension of Central Power Station, Headlam, 6040, 6041.

The Committee emphasise the necessity of economy in cost of staff in accordance with War Office Memorandum on this subject, 2nd Rep., 14.

Criticism of Committee regarding excess cost of Torpedo Slipway at Gravesend, 2nd Rep.,

16.

Surplus under Barrack Construction Department, &c., 2nd Rep. 19.

Paper handed in by Sir Guy Fleetwood-Wilson, being a Memorandum on the proportion of cost of Staff to Expenditure on Works, App., 489-491, and communication on this subject from Treasury, App., 492.

WORKS, BUILDINGS, &c. (NAVY ACCOUNTS). Excess for Portsmouth Pumping Station, Raban, 6937-6939, 6961, 6962; Sheerness Harbour, ib., 6941; and at Melville Hospital, Chatham, ib., 6942-6960, 7078, Headlam, 6964-Postponement of work on Hoo Ness River Training Works, Raban, 6975-6980, 6997, 7000-7007, 7019-7024, 7066, 7073, 7074, 7745-Abandonment of works for Boys' Rifle Range, Harwich, ib., 69816993; and of Wireless Telegraph Station, Hong Kong, ib., 7008-7015-Underexpenditure on Portsmouth Dock and Harbour Protection, &c., ib., 7025-7031; and new river wall, Chatham, ib., 7032-7062-Abandonment of Sub-marine Depôt, Turnchapel, ib., 7075-7077.

V. & S.-15231.

REPORT

FROM THE

SELECT COMMITTEE

ON THE

APPLICATION OF SINKING FUNDS IN THE EXERCISE OF BORROWING POWERS,

(1908);

TOGETHER WITH THE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE,

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE,

AND APPENDIX.

Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be printed 16th December, 1908, and 16th June, 1909.

372.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE,

BY VACHER AND SONS, WESTMINSTER HOUSE, GREAT SMITH STREET, S.W.

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Price 8d.

ORDER OF REFERENCE.

APPLICATION OF SINKING FUNDS IN THE EXERCISE OF BORROWING POWERS.

[Wednesday, 11 November, 1908]:-Ordered, That a Select Committee of Five Members be appointed to inquire and report as to the powers conferred on Local Authorities by Local Acts, Provisional Orders, Stock Regulations, or otherwise, of utilising for purposes for which such authorities have borrowing powers, sinking funds (including loans funds and redemption funds) set aside by them for the repayment or redemption of loans raised by the issue of stock or by any other method; as to the expediency or otherwise of such powers being conferred; and as to any conditions which it is desirable to attach to the granting or use of such powers.

Committee accordingly nominated of-Mr. Ashton, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Harmood-Banner, Mr. Masterman, and Mr. Charles Nicholson.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records.

[iii]

REPORT.

THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire and report as to the powers conferred on Local Authorities by Local Acts, Provisional Orders, Stock Regulations, or otherwise, of utilising for purposes for which such authorities have borrowing powers, sinking funds (including loans funds and redemption funds) set aside by them for the repayment or redemption of loans raised by the issue of stock or by any other method; as to the expediency or otherwise of such powers being conferred; and as to any conditions which it is desirable to attach to the granting or use of such powers :-HAVE agreed to the following REPORT:

Your Committee have considered the matters to them referred. Not having had time to complete their inquiry, they have agreed to recommend that a Committee on the same subject should be appointed in the next Session of Parliament.

The Committee deliberated, and resolved to meet on Friday, 27th November, to hear evidence. [Adjourned till Friday, 27th November, at Half-past Eleven o'clock.

Mr. J. A. E. Dickinson was further examined. Mr. E. A. Ridsdale, a Member of the House, was examined.