HC Deb 22 February 1820 vol 41 cc1629-31

On the resolution being put, "That there be granted 200,000l. towards satisfying such pensions, payments, and allowances as would have become payable out of the consolidated fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or out of the civil list, in case the demise of the Crown had not occurred before the 5th of April,"

Mr. Tierney

said, he wished to know from what fund, the money necessary for the support of the queen was to be paid? During the late reign, provision was made for the princess of Wales, but now that royal personage was queen of England.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

observed, that the money to be paid out of this grant would, were it not for the demise of the Crown, have been paid in the usual way to the princess of Wales. All that was intended was, to pay the sums now due in the same manner as if that melancholy event had not taken Place.

Mr. Tierney

denied the power of the right hon. gentleman to make any such payment. The grant of the princess of Wales was one of those grants which were subject to the life of the king. Besides, there was not now any such person as the princess of Wales. If it was intended to grant, to her present majesty a similar provision to that made for the princess of Wales, words to that effect ought to be introduced. If the chancellor of the exchequer granted a single penny in any other manner, he would be guilty of an offence to the House of Commons.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, the right hon. gentleman knew that this or any other payment, officially made, could not alter the state of the party receiving it.

Mr. Tierney

observed, that the only provision he knew of was made for the princess of Wales—but there was now no such personage in existence. How, then, could they vote a grant of this kind? He knew the right hon. gentleman dared not mention the name of the queen. But could they, he would ask, give to an individual not mentioned in the grant a sum of money voted to another person? He should like to hear the chancellor of the exchequer mention the name of the queen, as he wished to have it recorded on the Journals.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, that the sum formerly granted to the princess of Wales was now payable to the queen, and to no other person.

Mr. Tierney

repeated, that there being no such personage as the princess of Wales, any grant to the queen should be so stated to parliament.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, that the individual to whom the grant had been made still remained, though her political character was changed. Her majesty had a right to receive in her present situation what had been granted to her in another.

Mr. Hume

asked, why such difficulty was made about mentioning at once that the grant was for the queen? By merely stating this the objection of the right hon. gentleman would at once be met.

Mr. Lushington

said, that the grant moved for was stated to be for paying of annuities, &c. payable out of the civil list, and which would have been duly paid but for the demise of the Crown. It would be improper to mention the name of her majesty as one of the persons receiving an annuity, unless all the other names were also mentioned, which it would at once be seen would be extremely inconvenient.

The resolution was agreed to.