HC Deb 23 June 1870 vol 202 c851

SUPPLY considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Motion made, and Question proposed, (1.) That a further sum, not exceeding £765,550, be granted to Her Majesty, on account, for or towards defraying the Charge for the following Civil Services, to the 31st day of March 1871: viz.

[Then the several Services are set forth.]

MR. HUNT

asked when it was proposed to take the discussion on these Estimates? Asking for Votes on Account, as was now being done, was not a satisfactory mode of proceeding.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he could urge no plea except the plea of necessity for asking the Committee to grant a Vote of Credit in respect of the Miscellaneous Estimates. That plea would be to a certain extent generally admitted; at the same time, the Government ought to be bound not to push it beyond a certain point. Their intention was to proceed with the Miscellaneous Estimates with all reasonable expedition at the close of the proceedings on the Education Bill, as well as to make use of intervals while the Bill was in Committee.

MR. HUNT

said, he imputed no blame to the Government; but if the Civil Service Estimates were to be postponed until the Committee on the Education Bill were concluded, he doubted whether many Members would be left in town to discuss them.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, it would be competent for any Gentleman to raise the question in case the proceedings on the Bill extended beyond their expectations. His hope was that the long debate on going into Committee would shorten the discussion upon the clauses.

Vote agreed to. (2.) Resolved, That a sum, not exceeding £390,000, be granted to Her Majesty, on account, for or towards defraying the Charge for the Post Office Packet and Post Office Telegraph Services, to the 31st day of March 1871: viz.

£
Post Office Packet Service … 300,000
Post Office Telegraphs … 90,000
£390,000

Resolutions to be reported To-morrow, at Two of the clock;

Committee to sit again To-morrow.