§ MR. BOWRINGasked the First Lord of the Treasury, with reference to the proposed grant of £4,133 to Ex-Governor Eyre for the payment of his legal expenses, Whether he can inform the House what was the total actual or approximate amount raised by public subscription for the "Eyre Defence and Aid Fund" of 1866–8, and the "Eyre Testimonial Fund" of 1868 respectively, to which allusion is made by the Treasury Solicitor in page 61 of the Papers recently laid before Parliament?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, in reply, that he wished it had been in his power to give assistance to his hon. Friend in the investigation of facts of which he very naturally felt an interest; but on reading the Papers to which reference was made in the Question, his hon. Friend would have perceived that the Treasury Solicitor, while he did make reference to the existence of a certain fund, did not imply any knowledge with respect to the amount or particulars of that fund, or the means of ascertaining them. The truth was, that the Government had no such knowledge, and had no means of ascertaining the particulars.
§ COLONEL NORTHasked the right hon. Gentleman, whether the Estimates containing this grant would be brought forward in sufficient time to allow of its being considered?
MR. GLADSTONEreplied that care would be taken to bring forward the Miscellaneous Estimates at such a time that the grant might be discussed with advantage.