§ Acts considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in moving—
That it is expedient to amend the Acts relating to the National Debt, and to make further 1684 provision for the Reduction of the said Debt,said, the Bill he proposed to introduce was mainly for the purpose which he described in his Financial Statement—namely, to appropriate a fixed sum yearly towards the reduction of the Debt. There would, however, be another provision which he had not yet mentioned. It was in conformity with a recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee, which sat some years ago and had reference to the existing Sinking Fund. The payments in connection with this fund were at present made quarterly, and were of a very irregular character, and what he proposed was that the ascertained surplus upon any one year should be paid over in one sum in the course of the year following. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving the Resolution.
§
Motion agreed to.
Resolved, That it is expedient to amend the Acts relating to the National Debt, and to make further provision for the Reduction of the said Debt.
§ Resolution to be reported To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at a quarter after One o'clock.