HC Deb 23 March 1893 vol 10 cc904-5
MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the proposed inquiry with regard to the Unification of London, and of the importance of retaining all the Trust Funds for the benefit of Londoners, the Government will give facilities for the passing of the Corporate Associations Property Bill, now before the House, or whether the Government will undertake to legislate upon this subject, with the view of preventing the alienation of any portion of the Corporation or City Companies?

MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)

May I ask whether the alienation of any portion of the Corporation or City Companies can be effected without an Act of Parliament?

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

It is beyond the power of the Government to do any thing further until they have considered the proposed legislation on the subject.

MR. HOWELL

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government will consent to grant the Return as to the Income and Expenditure of the Corporation of the City of London, the Irish Society, and the Commissioners of Sewers, as mentioned in the Notice on the Paper for this day?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

I will answer that question. The Corporation of London have issued, in accordance with their practice for many years, a Report showing in great detail the Receipts and Expenditure of the Corporation, including those of the Commissioners of Sewers, for 1891. The Report, which is a volume of nearly 300 pages, has been freely distributed. The accounts of the Irish Society for the same year have also been published. Looking to the full information which is thus given, I see no sufficient reason for assenting to the Return proposed.

MR. H. S. FOSTER

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to make any statement as to the Royal Commission on the Unification of London?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

The names of the Commissioners have already been published in the newspapers, but I may say that the Commission will be presided over by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Courtney), and consists of Sir Thomas Farrer, Mr. Crawford, City Solicitor, the Mayor of Liverpool, and the Town Clerk of Birmingham.

MR. H. S. FOSTER

What will be the scope of the inquiry?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

When the Commission is issued its scope will appear from the Paper to be laid on the Table.