Note 17 — THIRTY YEARS OF LIBERAL LEGISLATION.
Reading edition
The following is the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the sums authorised by government to be expended, and actually expended, in each of the undermentioned years:—
Authorised Expenditure.
Year.
1840£4,000,000
18413,500,000
18426,000,000
18434,500,000
184418,000,000
184559,000,000
1846124,500,000
184738,300,000
These are the sums authorised to be expended by the acts passed in each of these years. The following table shows, as nearly as can be estimated, the sums actually expended:—
Actual Expenditure.
Year.
1841£1,470,000
18422,980,000
18434,435,000
18446,105,000
1845, first six months3,510,000
1845, second six months10,625,000
1846, first six months9,815,000
1846, second six months26,670,000
1847, first six mouths25,770,000
Supposing the actual expenditure, under existing railway acts, to have proceeded at the same ratio for the next three years the following would have been the results:—
Estimated Expenditure.
Year.
1847£64,000,000
184870,000,000
184947,000,000
185010,000,000