MR. J. B. SMITHwished to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any steps had been taken by the Government to carry out, wholly or in part, the resolution of the House of the 30th of May last, proposed by Dr. Bowring; and whether the gross receipt of revenue, averaging about 7,000,000l. per annum, which had hitherto been stopped in its progress to the Exchequer, would in future be paid into the Exchequer, and placed under the direct authority and control of Parliament.
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that steps had been taken by the Government to carry out in part the resolution proposed by Dr. Bowring on the 30th of May last. As to the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's question, it was difficult to give a general answer. He was not prepared to say that all the sums which were received would be paid into the Exchequer, and placed under the direct control of Parliament.
§ MR. HUMEsaid, that the real purport of the resolution of his hon. Friend (Dr. Bowring) was to bring the salaries, allowances, and other payments made out of the gross revenue, annually under the notice and sanction of the House.