HC Deb 15 April 1890 vol 343 cc559-60
MR. JOHN ELLIS

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government intend to take any steps to realise the expectation held out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in relation to the Estimates, in the discussion on the subject on 30th April, 1889, when he used the following words:— I trust the Government may be able at an early date, possibly next Session, again to submit proposals to remove what all on both sides of the House consider to be the present unsatisfactory state of things?

*M.R. W. H. SMITH

I should be very glad, indeed, if it was in my power to make proposals to the House to improve the conditions under which Estimates are considered and voted by the House. But the Government have been as yet unable to devise any plan in substitution for the present system which would secure the general support of the House, without which it would be most unadvisable to introduce any changes.