BRITISH WAR BILL.

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1915, Page 3

BRITISH WAR BILL.

THE COST TO DATE,

A STUPENDOUS SUM

(Press Assn.—Reed. 9 a.m.)

LONDON, July 20

Mr Asquith in the House of Commons moved a credit of £150,000,000 to meet war expenditure, making a I total of £1,012,000,000 since the outbreak of war. For the first 17 days in July the expenditure was £54,190,----000. The expenditure during the current year to 17th inst roughly was £301,000,000 whereof £(241,693,000 is for the army and navy while loans to the Dominions and Allies were roughly £44,000,000. The balance was expended on food supplies and other purposes. It is estimated the present vote will last until the end of August. Mr Asquith intimated that Parliament would re-assemble in the middle of September. ( Press Assn. —Reed. 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 20. Continuing, Mr Asquith said the item of advances to Allies might grow with the adhesion to our cause of the States which took no part in the war in the earlier stages. Pie pointed out that the wording of the clause dealing with loans had been altered to authorise the expenditure by loans grants for purposes connected with the war. The clause previously restricted advances to the Dominions or Allies. Government purposely illiminated th e limitation and trusted the House not to ask for details. Government desired wider powers in respect to countries whereto advances might possibly be made.