asked the Minister for Finance if he will state particulars of the items in the Book of Estimates to which the Tánaiste referred on 3rd April, 1952 (Dáil Debates, column 1293), when he stated that contemplated expenditure upon reserve stocks proper to be treated as an investment had been deducted in calculating expenditure to be met from current taxation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure on Reserve Stocks.
The Táiniste is reported in the Dáil Debates of 3rd April, 1952, column 1293, as follows:—
"In so far as any expenditure is contemplated upon reserve stocks in this year and that expenditure could legitimately be described as an investment, then the amount has been deducted in calculating the bill which the taxpayer has to meet."
The Tánaiste made no specific reference to items in the Book of Estimates. I assume, however, that he had in mind the stocks proposed to be purchased for telephone capital works as shown in Appendix D of the Estimate for Posts and Telegraphs. As I explained in my reply to the Deputy on 29th April the cost of such stocks is not charged against current revenue but is borrowed for as telephone capital. I also indicated in that reply that no expenditure on materials and equipment for capital purposes is included in the net Estimates for Supply Services.
Would the Minister state what has happened to the remaining £1,000,000 of the £1,800,000 that was provided for the purchase of stocks last year which could not be purchased before the 31st March last?
I do not know what has happened stocks which could not be purchased.
What has happened to the money, I asked?
Nothing has happened to the money. The money was used to pay your bills.
Only £800,000 of it. In other words, the charge which Deputy Costello made in regard to the reserve stocks was absolutely true.
It is well for Deputy Costello that he is not running a business.