4 MAY 1912, Page 2

Challenged by Mr. Chamberlain to declare the specific pur- poses

for which the realized surplus of 6t millions was to be held up, Mr. Lloyd George contented himself with insisting on the fact that the sanction of the House would have to be obtained before the money could be appropriated to meet extra expenditure on. the Navy or a failure in revenue owing to labour troubles. He declined to accede to the motion of Mr. Hope that any surplus after meeting these exceptional needs should go to the Sinking Fund this year, and taunted the Opposition with being afraid lest the Government might use part of the surplus to benefit sections of the community requiring assistance. The closure having been moved, Mr. Hope's proposal was rejected by 183 to 130, or a Government majority of only 47.