§ SIR ROBERT PEELI wish to put a Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reference to the forthcoming Review, at Spithead. I understand that accommodation is to be provided for only about 420 Members of this House, whereas we number altogether 658. It is true that we may not all want to go to Spit-head; but I recollect that Lord Halifax, when First Lord of the Admiralty, provided on a similar occasion accommodation not only for every Member of the House of Commons, but for two or three friends of 1397 each Member in addition. I was myself a Member of the Board of Admiralty at the time, and I had several tickets to dispose of. Now, I hope the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be able to inform us that ample provision will be made for every Member of the House who may wish to go to see the Review on Wednesday next, because I am told, Sir, that many of us, in consequence of not having put our names down on your list, may be precluded from the advantages of witnessing that great display?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe right hon. Baronet gave me no notice that he was about to make an inquiry of this complicated and delicate character, I should be very sorry, indeed, to trench in any way upon the privileges of Members of this House, but my impression is that on the former occasion to which the right hon. Baronet has referred, the accommodation provided turned out to be in excess of the demand made upon it. Everything, no doubt, will be done on the present occasion which ought to be done to provide for Members of this House the necessary accommodation. I heard the other day that it was estimated about 450 Members would probably go to see the Review; but I have since heard from the highest authority in the House that only 330 Members applied to have their names put down.
§ SIR WILLIAM GALLWEYasked, whether it was true that the Members of the Government were to be conveyed to see the Review in a large ship, equal in size to that which was set apart for the conveyance of the Members of the two Houses of Parliament? He hoped not, because a better arrangement would, in his opinion, be that the Government should go in the same vessel as the Lords and Commons, and that the ship which was said to be intended for them should be set apart for the accommodation of ladies and friends of Members.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am sorry my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty happens to be just now at Portsmouth. We can, however, telegraph to him for information on this subject, and communicate the result to the House should it sit until we receive a reply. I think my hon. Friend will excuse me if I am unable to give him at this moment a more definite answer.