HC Deb 09 June 1879 vol 246 cc1517-8

(11.) Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £289,772, be granted to Her Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March 1880, for Superannuation and Retired Allowances to Persons formerly employed in the Public Service, and for Compassionate or other Special Allowances and Gratuities awarded by the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury.

MR. WHITWELL

hoped the Secretary to the Treasury would not take so important a Vote at that hour, and moved to report Progress.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Whitwell.)

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

hoped the Committee would not agree to the Motion. Although the Vote was an important one, it was never discussed, for it was only carrying out the pledges given by the Government to its Civil servants, and he could not conceive the hon. Member could wish that to be diminished or altered.

MR. MONK

said, the grounds of the Motion were not quite understood. They had been steadily progressing through Supply for the last seven hours, and now one of the most important measures of the Session was about to be brought into Committee—the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill. His hon. Friend (Sir Henry Selwin-Ibbetson) seemed to think, because that was a Money Bill, that it could be taken at any hour. He might, technically, be right; but he certainly could not think that was the proper way to discuss it. He was sure it would facilitate Business if they were now allowed to report Progress, and to take the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill.

MR. WHITWELL

thought that this subject could not be properly discussed at that hour. It was not right to take a Vote of £500,000 on a subject of this kind at that time; by so doing, the Committee pledged itself to pay large amounts of superannuation to persons who would receive it for the first time. It was time that the Committee should take into its serious consideration how far they should advance in the direction in which they were now going in this matter of superannuation. Although they might not be able to obtain any reduction in the Vote, yet he thought public attention should be drawn to this question of superannuation and allowances; and, as that could not be done at 12 o'clock at night, he should object to their proceeding further at that time.

Question put.

The Committee divided:—Ayes 30; Noes 120: Majority 90.—(Div. List, No. 113.)

MR. RYLANDS

said, that as he now observed the Leader of the House in his place, he would appeal to him not to go any further at that hour. They had been sitting in Committee of Supply for many hours—ever since 5 o'clock. If the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill were to be taken at all to-night, it could not be taken later than the present time.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

hoped that the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill would be taken that night. He was sorry they had not made so much progress in Committee as they might have done. However, after taking that one Vote, he proposed to report Progress, and to go on with the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

House resumed.

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

Committee to sit again upon Wednesday.