§ MR. MELLORasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Government intends to prosecute at the public expense the person calling himself Tichborne for perjury; and, if so, whether he is prepared to lay before the House an Estimate of the probable cost of such prosecution, and to take a previous Vote of the House upon it?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIt is, Sir, the intention of the Government to prosecute, at the public expense, the person calling himself Tichborne for perjury. He is also committed for forgery. The hon. Member asks me to lay upon the Table an Estimate of the probable expense of such prosecution. I should be very glad to do so; but I am told that it is impossible to form any estimate or give any information on the subject; therefore, I must decline to do so under the circumstances, and as to those Gentlemen who think I am too diffident in making estimates, I would refer them to their own experience.
§ MR. MELLORThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the latter part of my Question. As the amount required will probably be very large, I wish to know whether the right hon. Gentleman will take a previous Vote of the House upon it?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIf I spend the money first, I do not see how I can take a previous Vote upon it.