§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, considering the state of the Revenue, he will consent to suspend for the present all expenditure upon Fortifications?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, I will ask permission to answer the Question of the hon. Gentleman. Under the existing Acts there is power to raise £5,950,000 upon a total estimated cost of £7,470,000, and up to the end of last year there had been expended £5,332,806. It will be evident that, in order to complete the works, it will be necessary for the Government to bring the subject again under the consideration of the House. I may suggest to my hon. Friend that the day after to-morrow the state of the revenue will be laid before the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that a Committee was appointed by the right hon. Gentleman who preceded me in my present Office to examine and report upon the whole state of the Fortifications. I have not yet received that Report, but I understand that it is likely to be made very shortly. As soon as it is made it will be laid upon the table of the House, and with these two pieces of information 233 before them the House will be able to form a judgment upon the whole subject.
§ MR. FAWCETTAm I to understand that no more money will be spent until the House has had an opportunity of expressing its opinion?
§ MR. CARDWELLI did not mean to convey the impression that any orders will be given to stop the present expenditure. I have stated the amount of money which we are empowered to raise, and how nearly the amount already expended has reached that point. At an early period, therefore, it will be necessary that the House should be again consulted upon the subject.