§ On the motion of Lord Althorp, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the King's Message of the 14th of April last.
§
The Message was read, as follows:—
William R.
His Majesty, trusting to the affectionate regard of his faithful Commons, both for his Majesty and the Queen, re-
1104
commends to their immediate consideration the making such a provision as may be adequate to the maintenance of her Majesty's royal dignity, in case she should survive his Majesty.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that after what had occurred on this subject in the last Parliament, he felt it unnecessary to preface his motion with many remarks. The opinion entertained, not only by that House, but also by the country at large, of the gratitude which was due, not only to his Majesty the King, but also to his consort the Queen, for the gracious conduct which they had both uniformly pursued since their accession to the Imperial Throne of these realms, was such as to assure him that no Gentleman who then heard him would feel any difficulty in making a suitable provision for her Majesty in case she should survive her royal husband. The proposition which he had made to the House in the last session of Parliament, was the same that had been submitted to Parliament in the case of the Queens of George 2nd and George 3rd. He should now repeat that proposition, which was, that there be settled on her Majesty, in case of her surviving the King, an annuity of 100,000l., to support her royal dignity; that she should have the house and lands at Bushy; and that she should also be put in possession of a suitable town residence. Where that town residence should be, was not fixed at present, as there was not one at the disposal of the Government. The noble Lord concluded by moving the following resolution:— "That a provision be made for the Queen, in case she shall survive his Majesty, of 100,000l. per annum during her life, to support her royal dignity, together with a suitable town residence, and the house and lands at Bushy Park; and that the said sum be issued and paid out of the Consolidated fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland."
Sir Robert Inglisthought, that the noble Lord would have consulted the feelings of the country more effectually, as well as what was due to the character of the illustrious person concerned, had he also moved the House to grant her Majesty a certain sum as an outfit for the maintenance of her royal dignity.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that on many different occasions he had explained the reasons for this seeming omission. He had stated, that though his Majesty's present 1105 Government was prepared, like the last Government, to have recommended to Parliament that a provision should be made for her Majesty's outfit, it was by his Majesty's express desire, that the Ministers had not called upon Parliament to make it; for his Majesty did not wish to impose this burthen upon his subjects. He had before stated the gratitude which the people felt for this considerate and liberal conduct on the part of his Majesty.
§ The Resolution agreed to nemine contradicente.
§ The House resumed.