Commons Sitting of 25 June 1866

MINUTES.
NEW WRIT ISSUED—For Hertford Borough, v. Sir Walter Minto Townsend Farquhar, baronet, deceased.
SELECT COMMITTEE—On Public Health, Sir Charles Russell discharged, Mr. Knight added.
PUBLIC BILLS—Second Reading—General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act (1862) Amendment *[171].
Report—Local Government Supplemental (No. 2)*[150]; Pier and Harbour Orders Confirmation (No. 2)*[170].
Third Reading—Dean Forest (Walmore and the Bearce Commons)*[182], and passed.

COAL.—ANSWER TO ADDRESS.
Answer to Address [12th June] reported, as follows:—
I have received your Address, praying that a Commission may issue to investigate the probable quantity of Coal contained in the Coal Fields of the United Kingdom, and to report on the quantity of such Coal which may be reasonably expected to be available for use:
Whether it is probable that Coal exists at workable depths under the Permian, New Red Sandstone, and other superincumbent strata:
To inquire as to the quantity of Coal at present consumed in the various branches of manufacture, for steam navigation, and for domestic purposes, as well as the quantity exported, and how far and to what extent such consumption and export may be expected to increase:
And whether there is reason to believe that Coal is wasted either by bad working, or by carelessness, or neglect of proper appliances for its economical consumption:—
And, I have given directions that a Commission shall issue for the purposes which you have requested.

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: Mr. Speaker, my noble Friend at the head of the Government and I have obtained Her Majesty's permission to acquaint the House that in consequence of the vote which was given on Monday last, and in consequence of those anterior circumstances to which we referred, we, Her Majesty's Advisers, tendered to Her Majesty the resignation of the offices which we held. Her Majesty was pleased to consider that it was not desirable for her to accept those resignations without further consideration. Her Majesty, in consequence, made early arrangements for undertaking her journey to London, inasmuch as she was of opinion that with the view of dealing with a question of such a nature it was necessary that personal communications should be held. Her Majesty at the time I speak is, I believe, on her

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way to Windsor, and she has been pleased to appoint that my noble Friend and myself should have an audience of Her Majesty to-morrow at one o'clock. Under these circumstances, Sir, it will be my duty to ask the House again to adjourn until to-morrow evening; and with a view to the general convenience I think it will be desirable that we should, with the permission of the House, name the hour of six o'clock for meeting. Of course, under these circumstances, it is not the intention of the Government to proceed upon any business which is likely to become a matter of debate; but there is a Motion which it is desirable should be made. It is a Motion by way of a Vote on account for the Revenue and Packet Services. The object of taking that Vote is to enable certain payments to be made which fall due at the close of this month, and which are absolutely required from us by the engagements under which we stand with the sanction of the House; and we think, therefore, that it will not be according to the pleasure of the House, any more than to the usage of the public service, to delay these payments. We shall take that Vote to-night; but we do not propose to proceed with any other public business.

SUPPLY.
Order for Committee read.
MR. CHILDERSsaid, that since his right hon. Friend had addressed the House he had found that it would be an inconvenient thing to take a Vote—even on account—of which notice had not been given. He would, therefore, with the leave of the House, give notice of his intention to bring the Vote forward to-morrow.

ADJOURNMENT.
MR. CHILDERSmoved that the House, at its rising, do adjourn till to-morrow, at Six o'clock.
Motion agreed to.
House adjourned at a quarter before Five o'clock.