Vol. 235 No. 7
I move:
That a sum not exceeding £315,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1969, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Office of the Attorney General, etc., and for the Expenses of Criminal Prosecutions and other Law Charges, including a Grant-in-Relief of certain Expenses payable by Statute out of Local Rates.
Why is there such a very large increase in witnesses' expenses? An increase of £14,000 in an Estimate of £20,000 is something that requires explanation.
The increase is due to a steady upward trend in expenses in recent years.
The Minister will probably calculate quicker than I would what the percentage is but it is about 70 per cent of an increase. Was there a deficiency last year and were witnesses left hanging after 1st April?
Expenditure from this subhead has been very much underestimated in recent years.
