COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 16 July 1885)

§ MR. WHITLEY

said, he desired some explanation of the Bill. Ho had understood that the object of the measure was to meet a possible deficiency in the working of the Bankruptcy Act. On reading the Bill, he found it was intended that the expense of providing office accommodation was to be met out of the funds of bankrupts estate. There was, however, the further provision that in case of an insufficiency in the funds of the bankrupt estates, the requisite amount was to be made up by the Consolidated Fund. Now, they had already taken a very heavy Vote for Bankruptcy, and he contended that there was no surplus until all the expenses had been provided for. A Bill, therefore, which proposed to provide for the expensive construction 1012 of Bankruptcy Courts out of the funds of bankrupt estates, and to charge on the Consolidated Fund any deficiency there might be, was one which ought to be very carefully watched by the House. Before they went into Committee, he would like to know what was the estimate of the cost of the buildings for Bankruptcy offices throughout the Kingdom? It was a very serious thing if, in addition to the very heavy Vote to supply the deficiency in connection with Bankruptcy, the taxpayers of the country were to be called upon to meet an indefinite expenditure for the erection of Bankruptcy offices. He did not think hon. Members would be doing their duty to the people of the country if they did not obtain some idea from the Government as to the probable amount which would be extended on buildings, and as to the sum the Consolidated Fund would have to supply.

§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir HENRY HOLLAND)

said, it would be observed that, in the first place, there must be a surplus on the Bankrupt Estates Account, and that, in the second place, there was a largo discretion given to the Treasury as to whether they would allow any of the surplus to be expended in the erection of buildings. The Treasury would also have ample discretion as to what sums should be expended in providing office accommodation. The amount of accommodation required was under the consideration of the Board of Trade, and the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Whitley) might rest assured that the Treasury would not grant any part of the surplus for a building which was not required, and that they would closely check the expenditure. If the surplus was not sufficient to meet the demand, the Consolidated Fund was to be made liable, and he must ask his hon. Friend to place some reliance upon the discretion of the Treasury, and upon their care that the money would not be wastefully expended.