Ways in United Kingdom

Meaning of Ways and Means

The following is an old definition of Ways and Means [1]: The committee of or on ways and means, in a legislative assembly, is charged with the duty of inquiring into and recommending the ways and means for raising funds for the uses of government. The ” committee of supply ” considers what specific grants of money shall be voted as supplies demanded by the crown for the service of the current year, as explained by the estimates and accounts prepared by the executive government, and referred by the house to the committee. The ” committee of ways and means ” determines in what manner the necessary funds shall be raised to meet the grants which are voted by the committee of supply, and which are re- quired for the public service. The former committee controls the public expenditure; the latter provides the public income: the one authorizes the payment of money, the other sanctions the imposition of taxes, and the applicatioji of revenues not otherwise applica- ble to the service of the year.

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Notes and References

1. Concept of Ways and Means provided by the Anderson Dictionary of Law (1889) (Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims and an Exposition of the Principles of Law: Comprising a Dictionary and Compendium of American and English Jurisprudence; William C. Anderson; T. H. Flood and Company, Law Publishers, Chicago, United States)