CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951 — Page 133

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Head 6. Colonial Secretariat and Legislature.

Estimate 1951/52.

Revised Estimate 1950/51. Approved Estimate 1950/51. Actual Expenditure 1949/50.

$1,186,420 1,267,711

1,177,833

1,201,938

One supernumerary post of Senior Executive Officer Class I has been abolished on the retirement of the holder. Five new posts of Woman Confidential Assistants Class II were authorized during the current financial year to cope with the increasing volume of work dealt with by the Colonial Secretariat but one temporary post of Woman Confidential Assistant has been abolished. Eight new temporary Clerks, six of whom were required for the Exchange Control Section, were also authorized during the year to deal with the extra work arising out of the present disturbed conditions in the Far East. The two extra posts of Messengers were also authorized for the same reasons. The only other changes in the establishment concern transfers and promotions within the authorized establishments of Clerks of the General Clerical Service and senior Women Confidential Assistants. Personal

e moluments show a small decrease of $1,053.

Under recurrent expenditure a number of increases has been necessary on various sub-heads because expenditure for 1950/51 exceeded the original provisions made. The only new item is the sub-head for casual labour for which $3,500 is provided.

This vote is intended to cover the training of selected part time staff for the Coding Office as a precaution in the event of an emergency. The net increase is $11,760.

Special Expenditure is $2,120 less than in 1950/51. Replacements are required for the departmental motor-cycle and for duplicating equipment at a cost of $3,000 and $1,500 respectively.

The total expenditure under this Head shows a small increase of $8,587.

Head 7. Commerce and Industry Department.

Estimate 1951/52.

Revised Estimate 1950/51. Approved Estimate 1950/51. Actual Expenditure 1949/50.

$1,904,223

1,198,842) 1,236,167 1,154,711

x

* Before incorporation of

Supplies & Distribution Dept.

During 1950 it was possible to carry out the

proposal foreshadowed last year to absorb the Department of Supplies and Distribution into the Commerce and Industry Department. The 1951/52 estimates must therefore be compared with the combined estimates of the two departments in 1950/51. The total expenditure for the combined departments is $1,904,223 compared with $2,068,516 for the previously separated departments.

Consequent on the amalgamation, an appreciable saving has been made in personal emoluments. The provision for 1951/52 is $1,582,733 compared with $1,759,516 in 1950/51. The reduction would probably have been greater but for developments in the last few months in respect of restrictions and controls on trade in the Far East. This has necessitated