§ Considered in Committee.
MR. AKERS-DOUGLASproposed,
That it is expedient to authorise the issue, out of the Consolidated Fund, of such sums, not exceeding in the whole £500,000, as may be required for the purposes of any Act of the present Session for the acquisition of a Site for Public Offices in or near Whitehall, and for other purposes connected therewith, and to authorise the Treasury, for the purpose of providing for the issue and repayment of such sums, to borrow money by means of terminable annuities for a period not exceeding fifty years, such annuities to be paid out of moneys to be provided by Parliament for the service of the Commissioners of Works, and, if those moneys are insufficient, out of the Consolidated Fund.
MR. J. P. FARRELLprotested against the voting of this sum of money as absolutely unnecessary. Ireland was interested in this sum, at least, to the extent of 1–11th, and he should divide the Committee against the Resolution in order to emphasise their protest. He moved to leave out "£500,000," in order to insert instead thereof "£455,000."
DR. TANNERsaid that, instead of the Committee committing itself to the grant of this money, hon. Members ought really to raise the question as to the why and wherefore of its expenditure. He wished to know what extra offices were required, what was the price to be paid for the land, and what offices were to be erected upon it?
§ Question put, "That '£500,000' stand part of the Question."
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes, 163; Noes, 12.—(Division List, No. 162.)
§ Original Question put, and agreed to.
§ Resolved, That it is expedient to authorise the issue, out of the Consolidated Fund, of such sums, not exceeding in the whole £500,000, as may be required for the purposes of any Act of the present Session for the acquisition of a site for public offices in or near Whitehall, 592 and for other purposes connected therewith, and to authorise the Treasury, for the purpose of providing for the issue and repayment of such sums, to borrow money by means of terminable annuities for a period not exceeding fifty years, such annuities to be paid out of moneys to be provided by Parliament for the service of the Commissioners of Works, and, if those moneys are insufficient, out of the Consolidated Fund.
§ Resolution to be Reported upon Thursday.