§ MR. DUNLOPsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he proposes to take on Monday the Votes for those Mail-Packet Services for which new contracts have been recently entered into, without having previously laid upon the table those contracts, in accordance with the Resolutions of the House of the 24th of July 1860.
MR. PEELsaid, the control of the House in the case of these contracts had been fully provided for, and would not depend on the time at which the Votes were taken. At the same time, the Government thought it only proper that those new contracts should be approved by Parliament before Votes in full were asked for them. Under these circumstances, it was proposed to take only a Vote on account next Monday, exept in the case of the Dover contract.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman in what form it is proposed to take the Votes on account. He wished further to inquire whether it will be competent to any hon. Member to move the omission of the qualification annexed to the contract with Mr. Churchward; and, if so, whether the Government will accept a Vote on that Motion as a decision on the question whether the contract is to be put an end to or not at the time proposed by the Government?
MR. PEELsaid, the Votes would be moved in the terms of the Estimate. He could not undertake to say whether it would be competent to any hon. Member to move the omission of the qualification referred to by the hon. Baronet; but the Government would accept a Vote on that question as an expression of the opinion of the House on the continuance of the contract.