106 Tie receipts from Customs, railways, and the excise duty on sugar are the predominating factors in the increase. The receipts derived from the latter are recorded under the Item “ General Central Services,’’ Customs.

The greatly enhanced value of all imports and exports and the increase in the import duty oh tobacco during the past year account for the increase of about £E. 79,000 in the Customs receipts over the revenue realised in 1918, the figures for these two years being £E. 249,000 and £E, 328,000 respectively.

Railwmjs and Steamers.

The railways and steamers’ receipts were estimated in the Budget for 1919 at £E, 1,233,700. The total receipts realised show an excess of £E. 44,300 over the estimate and of £E. 21,600 over the amount realised in 1918.

Veterinary Be'partment.

The receipts for 1919 amount to £E, 25,600 against a Budget estimate of £E.26,000 and £E. 35,377 collected in 1918.

These receipts are derived chiefly from quarantine fees on exported cattle and sheep', fees for inspection of hides and skins, and charges for loading and unloading of animals.

The decrease in the receipts is due partly to the falling off in the export trade of cattle, sheep and goats consequent on the dislocation of communication with Egypt after the disturbances in that country in the spring, and partly to the shortage of grazing as a result of the indifferent fains and low Nile of the preceding year.

General Central Services.

The chief items of revenue recorded under “ General Central Services ” are the amounts derived from contributions towards pension, tlie excise duty on sugar, and the profits derived from the control and sale of sugar in the Soudan by the Government.

In addition to the benefit which the public derived from this latter measure, the Treasury benefited to the extent of about £E. 95,000, and was thus able to meet part of the increased expenditure thrown on the Budget of 1919 through the increased freight rates on the Egyptian State railways, the enhanced cost of labour, and the grant of war gratuities and transport facilities to officials. This profit accounts for the increase of revenue under the item “ General Central Services ” as compared with 1918.

The increased receipts in other departments are the result of normal development, and require no particular comment.

The following statement showing the ordinary revenue and expenditure of the Government since 1913 is of interest:— Year. Expenditure. Budget Surplus.

1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 £E. l,.')6.s,352 1,04.3,519 1,495,227 1,857,856 2,195,355 2,774,689 2,950,500 £E. 1,533,063 1,531.346 1,463,934 1,745,532 1,901.941 2,336,315 2,683,000 £E. .85,289 12,203 31,293 112,324 293,414 438,374 267,500 House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.