§ Mr. Lushington brought up the Report of the Committee of Supply.
§ Mr. Creeveyintimated his intention, in consequence of the important business which stood for that night, to postpone until that day week, his motion relative to the second paymaster of the forces, and his deputy.
The various Resolutions were then agreed to, with the exception of that for granting 460,587l. 6s. 4d. for Barracks, which being read,
Mr. Fremantledrew the attention of the House to the item in this grant of 125,667l. for new barracks in Ireland, respecting which no information whatever had last night been afforded by ministers. Conceiving it highly proper that the House should be told the object and the extent of these projected buildings, he would move an amendment to suspend the grant of this 125,667l. by substituting the sum of 334,920l. 6s. 4d. for 460,587l. 6s. 4d. in the Resolution submitted for the approbation of the House.
§ Lord Palmerstonobserved, that his right hon. friend and himself had last night stated all that they could recollect on the subject of the hon. gentleman's inquiry. For several years a considerable number of barracks had been in progress in Ireland, in order to relieve the civil community from the great pressure of the troops, and to save to the public the expence of hiring buildings for the purpose. Several of those barracks were to have been completed by the end of 1812; although he was not aware whether they had actually been so completed. Another description of barracks was also in such forwardness in Ireland, as to be expected to be brought to a completion in the present year. The effect of agreeing to the hon. gentleman's amendment would be, that these works, so begun, would be suspended; and that the money already expended would be totally lost to the public. If the hon. gentleman wished for more detailed accounts on the subject he was sure that his hon. friend would be very ready to produce them.
Mr. Fremantledeclared, that he would not press his amendment if the right hon. gentleman would assure him, that he would lay before the House all these details, which in his opinion were indispensible on the subject.
Mr. Peele having intimated that he had no objection to the production of the information required, and that the hon. gentleman might have had it before had he chosen to move for it, Mr. Fremantle withdrew his amendment.