WAR SERVICE COSTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1940, Page 8

WAR SERVICE COSTS

TREASURY’S RETICENCE.

[BBITIBH OFEIQIAL WIBELKSB.] .

RUGBY, February 20.

Stating it is neither practicable nor desirable to present to parliament detailed bstfmates v 'c<nicdmin'g the’ costs of the departments of war services, a Treasury minute, dated February 13 announces that estimates during _the war period will be given in token The first 1940 estimate—that fotr the Nayy-Mtt 1 this form/ has neither ' the amount* of money-nor the numbers of personnel, appearing/ . ' , The Treasury' hiihute- points-’out that 1 -’ the expenditure on ‘ services directly related to the' struggle de- 1 pends on the course' And 1 ' progress of the war, which cannot be foreseen, and it would not be in the' public interest to disclose through the’Asti-' mates, the' nature and the extent of the war effort. " , ‘

Regarding the numbers, of inen fe; qu,ired for the fighting'Services, the vote will be. “for as the Government' deems -- ■necessary.” The decision, applies to. all . departments undertakihg .war' activities. Ju- ■ MARINE PERSONNEL. ■ LONDON, February- I '2o.- ,i <ln - connection;'With- the decision -to. present- the' estimates 'of-■eertdifi’-ser-vices to Parliament in token form, for the duration of the war, this will nevertheless, afford the Commons an opportunity for discussion. ■ y Merchant shipbuilding, is included in the new service. The maximum numbers of fleet personnel at present authorised . are 145,000 officers,- seamen,- boys and- Royal Marines 1 , and 976 Royal Marine police.' 11 -