§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what is the total cost which the Government propose the public should bear of the Special Commission, 1888; and at what time and in what manner will the sanction of the House be asked for a Vote for this sum?
§ MR. JACKSONI am not able to tell the hon. Gentleman what the total expenditure in connection with the Special Commission has been, because some of the bills have not yet been examined. As soon as I can I shall be glad to tell the hon. Gentleman. The answer to the latter part of the question would necessarily depend upon the answer to the earlier part, because if the provision made in the Vote proves to be not sufficient, a Supplementary Estimate will have to be introduced.
§ MR. J. MORLEY (Newcastle-on-Tyne)May I ask whether the first Vote on Account will cover a portion of this expenditure?
§ MR. JACKSONNo, Sir; the first Vote on Account will not cover any portion of it, supposing the provision already made was sufficient to meet it.
§ MR. J. MORLEYMay I ask the Home Secretary whether the evidence to which reference is made in the Report will be accessible to Members on application?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI cannot say without notice and inquiry; but I believe the volumes are ready in the Library of the House.
§ MR. J. MORLEYBut will a Member be able to get a set on application?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI will make inquiry and let you know.
§ MR. PARNELL (Cork City)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what action Her Majesty's Government proposes to take with reference to the Report of the Special Commission appointed to inquire into the allegations made in Parnellism and Crime?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH, Strand, Westminster)The Report did not come into possession of Her Majesty's Government until last, evening at 10 o'clock, and they have had no opportunity of considering or determining what course they should take upon it.