MOTION FOR PAPERS. (Hansard, 15 February 1870)

§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTON
In moving for the production of the official correspondence with Colonel Boxer, I feel that it would be impossible for me now to enter into any explanations in the absence of those Papers; but I cannot refrain from expressing my hope and belief that when those Papers are laid upon the table it will be seen that the allegations of Colonel Boxer and his friends that I had given sanction to conduct which excited, and justly excited, the displeasure of my right hon. Friend (Mr. Cardwell) had really no foundation. At one time I was placed in a very similar position to that occupied by my right hon. Friend, and the line I adopted was very similar to his; and I am free to say that if I had remained in Office and been placed in the same position as my right hon. Friend, I should undoubtedly have taken the same line which he adopted. It has been recently said that when the occupants of both the front-benches agree there exists some room for suspicion; but I hope this is not a case of the kind. The principle on which the right hon. Gentleman has acted, I am sure, is a sound one, that no one employed in any Department of the Go- 406 vernment ought to have a pecuniary interest in the supplies made to that Department.

§ MAJOR ANSON
said, he hoped the correspondence to be laid upon the table would include every letter which had passed between the War Office and Colonel Boxer with regard to his patents from the time when he first became Superintendent of the Royal Laboratory.

§ MR. CARDWELL
I have every desire to afford full information. The Return, of course, will be made in accordance with the terms of the Motion; but if my hon. and gallant Friend (Major Anson) does not think these sufficiently comprehensive, I shall be happy to agree to their extension.