I propose that the vote we shall take will not be the original one in the Estimates, but the other one (£20,216). If Deputies like I could make a few observations on the changes that have taken place. It does not materially alter the Estimate, and perhaps in that case it might be well to move the Estimate, and I would make a short statement before we adjourn.
The following original sub-heads remain unchanged:—A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A8 (a), A10, A11, A12, C1, C1 (a), and C3. Original subhead A1 has been reduced by £9,260 (Salaries, etc., for Botanic Gardens) transferred to revised Estimate for Agriculture (sub-head J1). In addition, £150 allowance to Head of Albert Agricultural College has been transferred to Agriculture Vote (subhead A). The sum of £365 borne originally on Endowment Fund of Ministry of Agriculture in respect of lecturer on bacteriology in the College of Science has been put on the Vote. There is a corresponding set-off in sub-head E (Appropriations in Aid). The sum of £151 in respect of his bonus has been transferred from subhead F1 of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Original subhead A2 has been reduced by £40 transferred to revised Agriculture Estimate (subhead J2) in respect of travelling of Botanic Garden staff.
Original subhead A3 has been reduced by £25 transferred to revised Agriculture Estimate (subhead J3) in respect of incidental expenses of Botanic Gardens. It has also been increased by £460 in respect of grants to students' societies formerly borne on Endowment Fund of Ministry of Agriculture. There is a corresponding set off to this item in subhead E (Appropriations in Aid).
Original subhead A9 has been transferred to revised Agriculture Estimate (subhead J4) for purchase of seeds, etc., for Botanic Gardens.
The original subheads B1, B2, and D have been reduced by £84,674, £1,362 and £597 respectively, transferred respectively to the new Vote for Technical Instruction (subheads J, K and M) representing ten months of the services indicated. The figures shown, namely, £1,126, £288 and £3 are the actual sums spent during the months of April and May.
The original subhead B3 has been transferred to the new Estimate for Technical Instruction (subhead L). No money was spent from this subhead in April and May.
The original subhead E (Appropriations in Aid) has been reduced by £338 transferred to the new Vote for Technical Instruction (subhead N), £12 having been actually collected in April and May and credited to the subhead. There is a further reduction of £150 transferred to revised Agriculture Estimate (subhead L) in respect of allowance paid to Principal of Albert Agricultural College. There is a sum of £1,275 which will be paid into the Vote from the Church Temporalities Fund when the Endowment Fund has been wound up. The figure is made up of the following sums:—£365 in respect of Bacteriologist; £450 in respect of lecturer in English, and £460 in respect of grants to students' societies.
The aggregate net totals of the three new estimates exceed those for the two original estimates for Ministry of Agriculture and Science and Art by £270.
It was found, when preparing the revised estimate for Ministry of Agriculture, that the retention in that Ministry of an officer engaged in chemical research whose transfer to the State Laboratory was intended at the time of preparation of the original estimates, involved the Ministry in expenditure of £170 out of sub-head G.1, and £460 out of sub-head G.2. The latter expenditure is counterbalanced by the inclusion of additional £460 in the Appropriations in Aid sub-head from the Development Fund. The retention of the officer concerned has been sanctioned by the Minister for Finance between the dates of the preparation of the two estimates, and the opportunity was taken when presenting the latter estimate for agriculture, of putting the matter right by including the above sums as charges on the estimate instead of leaving it to be met from savings in the course of the year.
As regards the remaining £100, the increase of £100 is more apparent than real. It arises from the deletion of £100 from the Appropriations in Aid heretofore received by the Ministry of Agriculture from the Endowment Fund in respect of certain officers engaged in the service of technical instruction. It was clearly correct to divert this sum from the Ministry of Agriculture Vote, and were there no other important Appropriations in Aid of the new Technical Instruction Vote it would probably have been shown individually. It was not specifically included, because it was considered to be included in the general apportionment of £40,725 representing the share of the Endowment Fund applicable to Technical Instruction. Apart from that £270, the estimates are the same, with this difference: that they are segregated under different Ministries. I think in these circumstances the Committee will not have any difficulty in taking the Science and Art Vote when we reassemble.
