I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £1,390,740 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1948, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Industry and Commerce, including certain services administered by that Office and payment of certain subsidies and sundry Grants-in-Aid.
This is the second Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Industry and Commerce in respect of the financial year 1947-48. The first Supplementary Estimate was moved in December last when a sum of £6,089,375 was voted in addition to the sum of £4,921,670, voted on the original Estimate. The additional sum now sought is £1,390,740. I should explain that there are three main heads under which additional funds are required. Firstly, extra expenditure has been incurred in relation to the subsidy on flour and bread, through the need for using a larger share of imported wheat and flour; secondly, for expenses which fall on Mianrai Teoranta under the Minerals Company Act, 1947, in carrying out the programme assigned to the company under the Act, and, thirdly, for providing buildings and equipment for the Institute of Industrial Research and Standards.
As Deputies will see from the printed Estimates there are savings on other subsidies which offset the sum required.