I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £133,200 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 Posts and Telegraphs (45 and 46 Vict., c. 74; 8 Edw. 7, c. 48; 1 and 2 Geo. 5, c. 26; the Telegraph Acts, 1863 to 1928; No. 14 of 1940 (secs. 30 and 31); No. 14 of 1942 (sec. 23); etc.), and of certain other Services administered by that Office.
The causes of the principal increases are:—
Sub-head I (1)—£26,340, and sub-head K—£70,535: due to diversion of staff and materials to the repair of the abnormal damage to plant caused by the blizzards in February and March of last year. This diversion involved a reduction of expenditure on telephone capital works, which falls on telephone capital funds, and a corresponding increase in Vote expenditure;
Sub-head N (1)—£61,000: additional provision necessary to cover increased pension, etc., awards under the Superannuation Act, 1947, and increased number of marriage gratuities paid.
There are savings of £30,075 on other sub-heads.
Deputies will, I am sure, appreciate that the contingencies which I have mentioned could not have been foreseen and that the additional provision required is absolutely essential.