§ SIR FRANCIS BARINGsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce any Bill this Session founded on the Report of the Public Monies Committee, and whether he intends to propose the appointment of a Committee, to whom the Annual Accounts should be referred, as recommended by the Public Monies Committee.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIt is my intention on an early day to move for the production of the recent Minute of the Treasury which details the course which Her Majesty's Government think right to be pursued in reference to the recommendations of the Committee on Public Monies. I should have taken, and still contemplate taking, an opportunity on that occasion of making a statement of the measures which we shall 342 recommend to the House for adoption. But as the right hon. Baronet has put his question, and as the press of public business is so great that I cannot make my statement so soon as I intended, I will say that the measures we propose to recommend will require legislation. Some of considerable importance have been already taken without legislation. It will be my duty to introduce three Bills. The object of one of them will be to establish an independent audit. The Bills in question are in an advanced state of preparation, and I hope the Bill relating to the audit will be introduced before Easter. As to the second part of the question of the right hon. Baronet, as to whether I intend to propose the appointment of a Committee, to whom the annual accounts should be referred, as recommended by the Public Monies Committee, I have to say that it is not my intention at present to propose the appointment of such a Committee; for the right hon. Baronet will agree with me that when I am about to introduce Government measures on the subject the operations of such a Committee would be imperfect till preliminary arrangements for the management of the public monies are effected. When the whole system has been carried into effect I trust that I or others who may fill the office I now hold, will feel it to be their duty to propose such a Committee as the hon. Gentleman has referred to.
§ SIR FRANCIS BARINGWould the right hon. Gentleman have any objection to lay the Treasury Minute on the table?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI wish to make a statement when I lay the Minute on the table; but if I find no opportunity of doing so soon, I will merely make a Motion and place it on the table.