ROYAL PALACES.

ACCOUNT of the Sum Expended, in the Year ended 31 March 1925, compared with the Sum Granted, for Expenditure in respect of ROYAL PALACES, including a Grant in Aid.

EXPLANATION of the Causes of Variation between Expenditure and Grant.

B.-Due mainly to the closing of the State Apartments at Kensington Palace during the winter months, and to the provision for Warders, Gate Porters, &c., at Holyrood Palace not being fully drawn upon.

C. Due to a change in practice under which orders for clothing have been placed with the Post Office. Under this system payment for 1924-25 supplies did not fall due until after the close of the year.

D.-See Statement of New Works.

F-Insufficient provision was made for the cost of repairing tapestries at Hampton Court Palace. G.-Requirements were less than anticipated.

EXPLANATION of the Causes of Variation between Expenditure and Grant-contd.

Appropriations in Aid and Receipts payable to Exchequer.—

The increase over the original estimate under the headings, sales of guide books, postcards, &c., and admission fees, was due to the great increase in the number of visitors to London in connexion with the British Empire Exhibition.

Receipts for sales of old materials and miscellaneous services cannot be closely estimated. Rents produced more than anticipated owing mainly to payment of arrears regarded as doubtful, for which no provision had been made.

** In addition the sum of 1621. -s. 6d. was received from sale of guide books at Holyrood Palace, for transfer to the Stationery Office.

H.M. Office of Works,

17 November 1925.

Lionel Earle,
Accounting Officer.

I have examined the above Account, and the appended Account, in accordance with the provisions of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1921. I have obtained all the information and explanations that I have required, and I certify, as the result of my audit, that in my opinion these Accounts are correct.

(20085)

Malcolm G. Ramsay, Comptroller and Auditor General.

B

NOTE. The contractor for the mudding out of the Frogmore Lake and Broadwater at Windsor was paid 1,4347. in addition to the sum of 2,2151. strictly payable under the contract. The contract was extended on the original terms to cover an additional part of the lake where the mud was of much greater depth, and the contractor agreed to the extension under the impression that the contract, which was priced per yard super on the basis of an average depth of mud of four inches would operate so as to take account of the differing conditions between the two sections of the work. This view was held, legally, to be incorrect, but it was regarded as inequitable to refuse to meet the contractor's claim for extra cost due to the differing depths of the mud, ranging from four to twenty five inches. (S 19242)

H.M. Office of Works,

17 November 1925.

Lionel Earle,

Accounting Officer.

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON NEW WORKS, ETC., 1924-25.

Estimated cost, 6301. Not completed.

D.III. 1-Richmond Park, Pembroke Lodge: Fire Protection.
Estimated cost, 9907. Not completed.

D.III. 2-Requirements did not come up to anticipation.

Hampton Court Palace: Storage accommodation .

Kensington Palace: Contribution towards cost of preparing cottage for occupation by the Secretary to the Privy Purse..

D.III. 3:-URGENT UNFORESEEN WORKS.

Estimated cost, 6207.

St. James's Palace: Adaptation of apartments as an official residence for the Assistant Private Secretary to H.M. The King

Estimated cast, 6017. Not completed.

£1,118 16 2

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON NEW WORKS, ETC., 1924-25-contd.

EE. 1. Hampton Court Palace: Opening of certain rooms to the public and preparation of Lady Georgiana Peel's apartments for re-occupation.

Estimated cost 1,1491.; expenditure to 31 March 1925, 1,1037. 19s. 1d. balance, 451. s. 11d. Completed: further charges to come.

OSBORNE.

ACCOUNT of the Sum Expended, in the Year ended 31 March 1925, compared with the Sum Granted, for Expenditure in respect of OSBORNE.

EXPLANATION of the Causes of Variation between Expenditure and Grant.

A.-Due to certain posts being vacant for part of the year, and to minor variations.

D. The number of patients in residence was less than provided for.

E.-See Statement of New Works.

F.-Less work was carried out than anticipated.

FF.-Expenditure on work carried out as part of the general scheme for Unemployment Relief for the winter of 1924.

H. Requirements were below anticipation.

I. Provision made for payment of Tithe Rent charge was not drawn upon.

J.-The service cost less than anticipated.

JJ.-Cash amounting to 4771. 7s. 7d., of which 3141. 18s. 4d. was public money, the balance being private funds, was stolen by a clerk. As against the write-off in this vote of 3141. 18s. 4d., the sum of 651. 19s. 4d. part of a fidelity policy of 1001., has been appropriated in aid, and an amount of 91. 12s. d. due in respect of salary has been retained. The net loss falling upon public funds was 2391. 7s. -d. A warrant was issued for the arrest of the clerk, who had absconded, but he has not been traced (S.25253).