§ Lord Althorpwished to put a question to the right hon. Gentleman opposite, relative to a matter adverted to in his speech the other evening. The right hon. Gentleman then stated that it was the intention of his Majesty's Government to institute an inquiry into the expenditure of the colonies, 715 He was anxious to know how far that inquiry would go, and whether the inquiries of the commissioners would be confined merely to the colonial expenditure, or would extend to the constitutions under which the Colonies were governed. Such an inquiry he thought would be very useful.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, it was not intended that the Commission in question should at all meddle with the constitutions of the Colonies. The object of the commission was to make a thorough review in detail of the colonial expenditure, for the purpose of effecting as much saving in that way as would be consistent with the public service. The proceedings of the commissioners would be submitted after- wards to the consideration of the House, and it would be for the House then to determine how far their recommendations might be acted upon.
§ Mr. Humewished to know who were to be the commissioners, how they were to be paid, and where they were to sit, and how long they were to continue their investigations. It appeared by a return for which he had moved, that commissioners had already cost the country upwards of 1,000,000l. in the space of twenty years, without producing any public benefit; and he therefore hoped that this, like other commissions, would not be followed by an useless expense without any public advantage. Fearing that it might, he should be disposed to object to the commission, unless he first knew who the commissioners were to be, and unless he obtained answers to his other questions.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, he had already stated that this commission would be advantageous to the public, without imposing any new expense upon the country. It was to be composed of persons connected with the Government, and practically acquainted with the Colonies. No new expense whatever would attend the appointment of such a commission.
§ Sir R. Wilsonwished to know whether the inquiries of the commissioners would be extended to the Canadas?
Mr. Maberlyconceived that some reasons for the measure should have been laid before the House, before the commission had been appointed. He should also like to know if the materials on which the 716 commissioners would have to work were all ready.
§ Mr. Brightwas of opinion, that some new light should have been thrown upon the subject, before the appointment of the commission had taken place.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerobserved, that the mode which had been chosen had been selected as most advantageous and convenient. When the report of the commissioners should be presented, it would be in the power of the House to pronounce its opinion on the subject.
§ The Order of the Day was read and the House went into a Committee of Supply.