asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to divide the Estimates for Public Services, 1952-53, into capital services and other services in the manner of the Estimates for Public Services for the current financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Form of Estimates for Public Services.
A distinction will be drawn in the context of the 1952-53 Budget between estimated capital and other expenditure but it is not to be assumed either that the 1951 classification of the Supply Services as between capital and other services is regarded as appropriate or that total capital expenditure will ipso facto be regarded as proper to be met from borrowing, irrespective of the availability of national savings and the general state of the economy. The appropriate means of financing Exchequer expenditure generally will be assessed in relation to these factors in the Budget, which I must ask the Deputy to await. An indication will be given in the Volume of Estimates for Supply Services of the provision made for those services which were classified in 1951 as “capital services”.
In view of the desirability of clearing up the situation at the earliest possible moment, will the Minister say whether he will introduce the Budget at an earlier date than usual?
That will depend on a great number of considerations which I am not in a position to state.
When is the Book of Estimates likely to be available?
I should hope before the end of the month.