HC Deb 31 March 1862 vol 166 cc329-30
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

moved, That there shall be a Standing Committee, to be designated 'The Committee of Public Accounts,' for the Examination of the Accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the Public Expenditure, to consist of nine Members, who shall be nominated at the commencement of every Session, and of whom five shall be a quorum.

MR. VINCENT SCULLY

said, he would move to omit the word "nine" and insert instead the word "eleven," with the view of having one or two Irish Members placed on the Committee.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that the Committee not being one of finance or expenditure, he could not see why there should be a desire to choose any Member of it with reference to the part of the United Kingdom of which he was a representative. Nine was the number fixed on last year, and he thought a larger Committee would not work well; but if there were anything like a general wish to have an Irish Member on the Committee, he would consult the hon. Gentlemen who were on it last year, to see whether that object could be accomplished.

MAJOR HAMILTON

objected to the claims of Irish Members being ignored in the selection of a Committee.

MR. VINCENT SCULLY

said, he would suggest the name of Colonel Dunne.

COLONEL DUNNE

said, he had no ambition to serve upon the Committee, but he thought the Irish Members ought not to be ignored.

MR. HUBBARD

, who had on the notice paper a Motion that Colonel Dunne and Sir J. Hay should be added to the Committee, said, that after his hon. Friend's statement he should not press his Motion.

Motion made and Question put, That there shall be a Standing Committee, to be designated 'The Committee of Public Accounts,' for the examination of the Accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the Public Expenditure, to consist of nine Members, who shall be nominated at the commencement of every Session, and of whom five shall be a quorum.

The House divided:—Ayes 63; Noes 11: Majority 52.

House adjourned at Two o'clock.