The Minister has said that this Bill does not give statutory authority for the expenditure of the money but is it not the position that if the Bill were not passed, the expenditure of the money would not be in order statutorily and that in that sense the Bill gives the statutory authority?
Supplementary Estimates, 1979. - Appropriation Bill, 1979: Committee and Final Stages.
Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2.
Question proposed: "That section 2 stand part of the Bill."
If the Bill were not passed the money would not have been statutorily appropriated to the services in respect of which statutory authority has been given.
But if the money were not appropriated, it would not be spent.
That may be so.
There is just one point in relation to this expenditure. If the Estimates were presented some time in advance, perhaps six months in advance of the financial year, any problem in regard to either underestimation or overestimation would not be insuperable because any such rectification could be made by way of supplementary estimate.
Question put and agreed to.
Section 3 agreed to.
Schedule agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment and passed.
This Bill is certified a money Bill in accordance with article 22 of the Constitution.