HC Deb 22 August 1889 vol 340 cc208-9

14. £50,709, to complete the sum for Law Charges.

SIR G. CAMPBELL

I hope the Government will postpone this Vote in order at once to go into the Scotch Votes, which I understood were now to come on.

MR. W. H. SMITH

I trust the hon. Gentleman will allow this Vote to be taken. It was postponed last evening in deference to the wishes of hon. Gentlemen below the Gangway. That objection has now been withdrawn, and I believe there is now practically no opposition.

SIR G. CAMPBELL

I do not think it is fair to take the Vote now, but if the Government insist, I shall not feel myself entitled to stand in the way of the Scotch Votes being disposed of, especially as I know that several hon. Members desire to speak on them.

MR. SEXTON

What the right hon. Gentleman has described as a "withdrawal" is merely the resolve of hon. Members on this side, in view of the whole situation, to postpone their criticisms on the Vote till it next comes on for payment. We take it that this course will be more respectful to the Special Commission, to say nothing about the convenience of the Attorney General.

Vote agreed to.

15. £44,029, to complete the sum for the Lord Advocate and Law Charges, Scotland.

16. £43,800, to complete the sum for the Courts of Law and Justice, Scotland.

17. £25,480, to complete the sum for the Register House, Edinburgh.

18. £6,120, to complete the sum for the Crofters Commission.

19. £150,125, to complete the sum for Police, Counties and Burghs, Scotland.

MR. HUNTER

Without wishing to prejudice the attitude the Scotch Members have resolved to adopt—namely, that of silence, and of allowing these Votes to be passed under protest—because it is perfectly absurd to suppose that they can be discussed on the 22nd of August at 1 o'clock in the morning—I hope I may be allowed to ask the reason of this Vote having increased £3,800 since last year.

MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

The increase arises from certain items connected with the pay and clothing of the constables. No substantial change has been made in method or system.

Vote agreed to.

20. £65,424, to complete the sum for Prisons, Scotland.