76
From the Secretary of State for the Colonies
To the Officer Administering the Government of
Circular Telegram Saving.
28th November, 1946.
Colonial Development and welfare
Schemes.
Conditions of Approval of
Expenditure.
As a result of a discussion in the Public Accounts Committee it has been found necessary to define with greater precision certain of the conditions which have to be fulfilled before expenditure can qualify for reimbursement from the Colonial Development and Welfare ·
Vote.
2.
The point to which the Committee addressed their attention was that of expenditure incurred on Colonial Development and welfare projects before a scheme had been approved in the manner laid down by the Act, and for which approval was later sought for reimbursement from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote. The view was recorded in the discussion in the Public Accounts Committee that this practice could not be permitted.
In
3.
I have, therefore, with the concurrence of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, laid down the following rulings on this subject, which I now bring to the attention of all Colonial Governments eligible to benefit under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act. framing these rulings both the Lerds Commissioners of the Treasury and I have endeavoured to secure that they will cause as little inconvenience to those concerned with their operation as possible.
4.
The fundamental principle which is to be observed is that no expenditure should be incurred on any scheme in respect of which it is proposed to apply for assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act until my approval (which, under the terms of the Act, can only be given with the concurrence of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury) has been signified to the Colonial Government concerned. This is necessary in order· that it may be demonstrated at the outset, not only that the scheme comes within the ambit of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, but also that the scheme is a sound one in itself.
5.
The application of the principle mentioned in paragraph 4 of this savingram will call in particular for observance of the following procedure:-
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