Legislative Assembly The appropriations presented to the House this evening have been thoroughly reviewed by the Treasury Board and every Minister concerned recognizes the ne¬ cessity of keeping the expenditures of his department within the allotted appro¬ priation. For 1967-1968 we are showing a small surplus on ordinary account. Current revenues are estimated at $42,106,441. and current expenditures at $41,886,046. pro¬ viding a current surplus of $270,401. after providing $1,718,765. for debt retirement. Expenditure Estimates The Department of Education is by far the largest spender of public funds, with an overall increase for the year of $2,500,000. Universities will receive grants of $775 per student, replacing the previous $800 provincial grant plus the univer¬ sity's share of the $6.00 per capita grant from the Federal Government. Universities will receive through this arrangement about $200,000. more than they would have received if last year's formula remained in effect. The organization grant to Prince of Wales College is continued and increased from $125,000 to $150,000. Teachers' salaries are approximately $1,000,000 over last year. The free school books program has been continued and expanded. Support to consolidated elementary schools will increase by $460,000. The Welfare Department also continues to expand its services. Mothers' allow¬ ances will be increased to $105 per month plus $10 for each child instead of the $66. plus $10. now in effect. 100% of the cost of social assistance to municipalities, including Summerside and Charlottetown , is now being paid. Supplementary Welfare Pensions will be paid to all senior citizens who did not qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. $65,000. is being provided for the halfway house for alcoholics under our Social Assistance Program . The Department of Health's expanded services will require an additional $800,000 over the previous year. The Department of Agriculture will receive $600,000. over and above the amount estimated last year. $800,000 of this amount has been allocated to the new Economic Improvement Corporation. As Honourable Members already know, this organization will have the responsibility for developing and implementing a co-ordm- ' development program for the Province. The amount provided here is our best ent estimate of the net cost of these programs for the coming: year, after deduct- federal contributions. The gross expenditures are expected to be far greater San $300,000., and will cover a wide variety of projects, both new and old. The Fisheries Department is providing $60,000 for assistance to lobster fisher¬ men. Insurance assistance of $14,000. is also being provided for small draggers. $188,000. is being provided for experimental projects and technical assistance. In an effort to bring: our employees' salaries more in line with our neighbour¬ ing provinces an increase averaging 6% was granted. The cost of this and ordinary increments will exceed $500,000. A summary of proposed expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 81, 1968 is ss follows. For the information of Honourable Members the actual figures for 1966-66 and the forecast for 1966-67 are also shown: 1965-66 Debt charges, including Sinking Fund $ 4,121,991. Health ........................................................................ 6,986,184. Welfare ...................................................................... 8,408,629. Labour ........................................................................ 469,767. Education 5,727,986. Attorney General 411,270. Legislation 261,017. Executive Council ...................................................... 61,127. Agriculture 1,849,826. Industry and Natural Resources ........................ 176,005. Fisheries .................................................................... 189,386. Forecast Estissatod 1966-67 1967-68 4,441,819. $ 5,352,688. 7,869,203. 8,240,086. 6,010,249. 6,772,880. 905,968. 1,104307. 8,092,875. 10,577,941. 587,843. 614,400. 306,517. 304,501. 76,100. 82,114. 2,465,021. 2,096,885. 191,348. 260.325. 317,944. 367,977.