§ MR. C. B. DENISONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can inform the House whether accounts have been rendered of the expenditure of £60,000, granted in aid of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's journey in India; and, whether any further Vote is likely to be asked for?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERYes, Sir, very full accounts have been sent in to me of the expenditure incurred by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales during his recent visit to India. I may say in passing that the way in which those accounts have been prepared reflects very great credit on Sir Bartle Frere, Colonel Ellis, and others who have been employed in the keeping of the accounts, and show that great economy was exercised throughout that expedition. The accounts have been very carefully audited Ly Sir William Anderson, and I have gone through them with him. There still remains a small number of outstanding bills to be provided for, but there is a sum of money unexpended more than sufficient to cover those bills. There certainly will be no occasion for any supplementary Vote. On the contrary, there will be a small surplus of, perhaps, a few hundred pounds left over when the accounts have been finally settled. I think I shall be only expressing the feeling of the House when I say that we ought not to ask His Royal Highness to repay that small surplus into the Exchequer. It may very fairly be left in the hands of His Royal Highness, considering that he expended his own money in the purchase of works of art and specimens of Indian manufacture which are being exhibited at the South Kensington Museum. I think, Sir, the whole account reflects great credit upon ail concerned.