HC Deb 20 February 1868 vol 190 cc988-9
MR. WHALLEY

said, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Abyssinian Expedition, Whether the Estimate of the probable expenditure, presented to the House in November last, when the Expedition was sanctioned, is likely to be exceeded; and if so, whether he is prepared to state to what extent, and what are the circumstances which account for the same?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, I have no reason to believe that the Estimates for the Abyssinian Expedition have been exceeded.

MR. DARBY GRIFFITH

said, he wished to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reference to his statement that he had no reason to believe that the Estimates of the Abyssinian Expedition had been exceeded, Whether this referred to the sum of £2,000,000, which was the amount at which they had been placed according to the popular impression, or to the sum of £4,000,000, which the right hon. Gentleman had himself specified as that to which they might probably reach?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I thought, Sir, my previous answer to the hon. Gentleman opposite was sufficiently explicit. I can only say to my hon. Friend that I have no reason whatever to believe that the general Estimate I put before the House has been exceeded.