§ The House then resolved itself into a Committee of Supply, Mr. Bernal in the Chair.
Mr. Gordonsaid, that the first vote he had to move was, that 88,629l. should be granted to the Commissioners of the Board of Works for the purposes of public works and buildings.
§ Mr. Humewished, before the vote was carried, to have some explanation with respect to some parts of Hampton Court Palace that were shut against the public, as he understood Lady Sarah Bailey occupied no less than fifteen rooms, from all of which the public were excluded. He did not think this was altogether correct, as he did not see why any part of a public palace should be closed against the public. Although Hampton Palace was a Royal Palace, at the disposal of her Majesty, yet, when the House was called upon for so much public money, he sub- 1184 mitted they had a right to obtain as much benefit as possible for the community.
§ Mr. R. Gordonwas not aware of the circumstances, but he would institute inquiries upon the subject.
§ Mr. Goulburnsaid, there was an item of 8,900l. for defraying the expenses of works necessary upon her Majesty's taking possession of Buckingham Palace. An estimate was laid upon the Table in 1838 for the sum of 3,300l., and now it turned out that the sum required was 12,000l. He wished to know why, in the course of last year, Parliament was not made aware of the additional expense that had been incurred. It was somewhat extraordinary that after the lapse of a year a demand should be made for four times the original amount.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequerperfectly agreed with the right hon. Gentleman that there was neglect in not bringing forward the estimate last year. It was intended to bring the estimate forward but in consequence of certain circumstances with which he was not entirely acquainted, the estimate had been postponed, and it was decided to include it in the first vote of the present year. He must take his share of the blame in not having brought it forward, but he could assure the right hon. Gentleman that the sum expended had been absolutely necessary to put the palace in repair for the actual accommodation of her Majesty.
§ Mr. Goulburndid not wish a detail of the expenses incurred, but where so large an additional expense had taken place, he thought that Parliament should have been made aware of it on the first occasion.
§ Mr. Humewished to have some explanation respecting the Botanical Gardens at Kew. Some time since an alarm was created in the public mind in consequence of a report that the gardens were to be sold; that report turned out to have no foundation; and what he wished to know was, whether there would be any objection to lay on the Table of the House the report of Dr. Lindley, pointing out how far those gardens might be made useful to the country. 10,000l. a-year was granted out of the Civil List for the support of these gardens, and it was but right that they should be made as useful as possible to the public.
Mr. Williamssaw in the estimates a 1185 charge for stables belonging to Windsor Castle. He wished to know whether that charge was in addition to the sum of 70,000l. voted last year for the new stables?
§ Mr. Gordonsaid, the charge was for ordinary repairs.
§ In answer to a question from Mr. Goulburn,
§ Lord J. Russellstated, the records in general were now placed under the care of Lord Langdale, the Master of the Rolls, and the Deputy Keeper, Sir Francis Palgrave. They were perfectly competent to do their duty, and his (Lord J. Russell's) recommendation to them had been that both time and money would be much better applied in taking proper care of the existing records, than in the publication of expensive works. That opinion was perfectly concurred in both by the Master of the Rolls and Sir Francis Palgrave.
§ Mr. Goulburnsaid, that if the records were in the actual keeping of Lord Langdale and Sir Francis Palgrave he had no doubt they were properly kept; but he wished to know whether they were actually, or only nominally in their charge?
§ Mr. Hawesthought that the records which had been sold had not been under the charge of the record commission; he should say, from having seen some of these records, that they could be perfectly restored. He had seen one of the time of Edward 3rd, which was so restored, the only difference being, that they were now in private hands instead of the public.
§ Mr. Humethought that some inquiry ought to be instituted. He wished to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he had given any orders relative to the Jewel Office, concerning which they had some conversation in discussing the Ordnance estimates, when he was happy to see a disposition manifested to improve the nasty, shabby, disgraceful place in which the jewels were now kept. He also saw a small item of 200l.for Holyrood, Linlithgow, and other places in Scotland. He was happy to say, that he held in his hand a letter from the Duke of Hamilton, stating, that orders had been given for the opening of Holyrood Palace free of charge to the public. He considered that every opening of a public place free of charge which took place was of great benefit to the people.
§ Vote agreed to.