8.—6.

It is not proposed to make any alteration in tlie rates of taxation for this year, and the following estimates have been compiled on this basis :— CONSOLIDATED FUND ESTIMATES, 1941-42. KE VENUE. Taxation— £ f Customs .. .. .. .. 7,700,000 Beer duty .. . . .. . . 1,600,000 Sales tax .. .. .. .. 3,300,000 Highways .. .. .. .. 2,172,000 Stamp duties .. .. .. .. 1,700,000 Land tax . . . . . . . . 950,000 Income-tax (including excess-profits tax) .. 16,100,000 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 215,000 33,737,000 Interest .. .. .. .. .. 3,146,000 Other receipts .. .. .. .. 2,413,000 5,559,000 39,296,000 Expenditure. Permanent Appropriations— £ Debt services .. .. 10,955,000 Exchange .. .. 1,600, 000 Transfer of highways revenue 2,172,000 Transfer to War Expenses Account .. .. 1,500,000 Other permanent appropriations .. .. 395,000 16,622,000 Annual votes — Social services . . .. 12,765,000 Other .. .. .. 9,425,000 22,190,000 Supplementary estimates and contingencies .. 400,000 39,212,000 Leaving an estimated surplus of . . £84,000 As compared with last financial year's actual receipts totalling £40,438,000, the estimated revenue for the current year shows a reduction of £1,142,000. A reduction of over £1,000,000 has been allowed for in respect of Customs revenue, in anticipation of reduced imports, and a reduction of £222,000 in highways revenue to allow for reduced petrol-consumption, but a reduction in estimated income-tax revenue will, it is anticipated, be more than offset by revenue from the excessprofits tax, which will be payable this year for the first time. Apart from the transfer of £1,500,000 to War Expenses Account, the estimated expenditure is £37,712,000. This total is approximately £1,000,000 less than last year's actual expenditure. Debt charges and exchange show a comparative decrease of approximately £1,800,000 due to the repayment last year of Treasury notes in London. On the other hand, the votes grouped under the heading of " Social Services " are in the aggregate greater by approximately £1,000,000. This includes £346,000 for the Health Department, mainly on account of increased subsidies to Hospital Boards, £166,000 to provide for the normal increase in the costs of education, and the transfer of an additional £400,000 to the Social Security Fund. In regard to the provision made under vote " Health " for the cost of dental clinics, for some years past it has been the practice to require a contribution of £30 per annum from the local committees for each nurse employed. It lias now been decided to abolish this charge.

Consolidated Fund Estimates 1941—42.

Dental clinics.

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