§ The House, on the Motion of Lord Althorp, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, on the Civil List Bill.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that he had already fully stated his reasons why he could not, as the Minister of the Crown, agree to the recommendation of the Committee. He should, therefore, move that a blank, left in one of the clauses of the Bill, be filled up with the words, "That the sum of 510,000l. be granted out of the Consolidated Fund, for the support of his Majesty's Household, and the honour and dignity of the Crown."
Mr. Humesaid, that having been a member of the Committee which resolved that this sum should be reduced by 12,000l., he felt it his duty to move as an amendment that only the sum of 498,000l. be granted for the purpose specified.
Mr. O'Connellseconded the Amendment. If his hon. friend divided on the question, he would vote with him.
§ Mr. George Robinsonsupported the Amendment. He did not say that the Ministers were bound by the recommendation of the Committee, but as he saw no reason why the great Officers of State should not have their salaries lessened, he should vote for the lesser sum.
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, that he entirely approved of the course which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had taken on this subject. In his opinion nothing would be more injudicious than to give grounds for future applications to Parliament, for defraying debts which might hereafter be incurred by the Crown, in consequence of an allowance too limited to satisfy the claims and necessities incidental to Royalty. He, therefore, most cordially assented to the proposal of the noble Lord, it being 1254 founded in justice, and sanctioned by sound policy.
Mr. Humethought, that the present condition of the country required more reduction than Ministers had hitherto made, and for that reason would still abide by the opinion which he had already expressed. However, looking to the thin state of the House, he should content himself with protesting against the course, in this instance, pursued by the noble Lord, without pressing for a division.
§ Resolution agreed to. Several of the blanks of the Bill were filled up. On the clause relating to the income of the junior branches of the Royal Family having been read,
Mr. Humetook the opportunity to suggest, that the allowance to the several branches of the Royal Family ought to undergo some reduction in common with all other public salaries, in consideration of the comparative cheapness of provisions since those allowances had been originally granted. Such a diminution might with the greater propriety be proposed, as the present members of the Royal Family enjoyed the benefit of survivorship, for it was provided, that at the death of one prince of the blood his allowance should be so apportioned as considerably to increase the incomes of the others. If, therefore, no proposition of the nature he recommended should emanate from Government, he should feel it his duty, on the bringing up of the Report, when the House resumed, to give notice of his intention, at an early day, to move an Amendment to that effect.
§ On the clause granting the Crown 10,000l. for sudden emergencies,
§ Mr. Goulburnproposed, that the sum be increased to 20,000l. for such contingent expenses as might be incurred during the year, and which Parliament could not then anticipate. The actual expense was at present 510,000l.; and he thought that 10,000l. was not a sufficient surplus to be placed at the disposal of the King, the dignity of the Crown and the convenience of Parliament being taken into consideration. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving that the sum be 20,000l.
Mr. O'Connellcould not subscribe to the doctrine of the right hon. Gentleman. He thought that Parliament could not be too wary in placing surplus sums above the actual expenditure in the hands of any 1255 Minister, and should, therefore, propose as an Amendment on the right hon. Gentleman's proposition, that the sum be reduced to 510,000l. Even this sum would leave a surplus to meet extraordinary contingencies; for the actual Estimate was but 498,000l.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, he would leave the matter in the hands of the Committee, though he could have no objection to the larger surplus. He, therefore, would agree to the Amendment.
§ The Committee accordingly divided. For the Motion 44; Against it 10 — Majority in favour of Mr. Goulburn's Motion to increase the surplus to 20,000l. —34.
Mr. Humesubsequently moved, as an Amendment on the vote of 123,000l. for his Majesty's Household expenses, that it be reduced to 119,344l.
§ Amendment negatived without a division. The Bill, with its Amendments, ordered to be reported. The House resumed.
Mr. Humeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he intended to refer the other charges on the Civil List to the consideration of a Select Committee.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that such was not his intention, but to refer them to a Committee of the whole House. If, when he proposed to refer these charges to a Committee of the whole House, any Gentleman should propose to refer them to the consideration of a Select Committee, he should be prepared to state more fully the intentions of his Majesty's Government, and their reasons for entertaining them.
Mr. Humegave notice, that he should on a future day move that these charges be referred to the consideration of a Select Committee.