HC Deb 28 April 1896 vol 40 cc97-8

Considered in Committee—(Progress 24th April.)

[Mr. GRANT LAWSON in the Chair.]

Motion made, and Question again proposed:— That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, of any expenses incurred by the Commissioners of Works under the provisions of any Act of the present Session for the acquisition of a Site for Public Offices in Westminster, and for purposes connected therewith."—(Mr. Hanbury.)

MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)

said, he noticed that the right hon. Gentleman had a Notice on the Paper for the appointment of a Committee for dealing with this question; he would observe that it was rather a peculiar proposal. Three Members sitting on the Ministerial side of the House—

THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. GRANT LAWSON)

said the hon. Gentleman would not be in order in discussing the matter.

MR. DALZIEL

said that perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would tell them whether this Committee was simply in order that the Bill might be brought in. If not, some explanation ought to be given. If it was only the Resolution for the introduction of a Bill, he had nothing more to say.

MR. HANBURY

said this was really to provide money under Clause 2 of the Bill which had already been read a Second time by the House. That clause had to be founded on a Resolution of the House, and this Resolution found £450,000, the money necessary for the acquirement of the site which had already been approved by the House.

MR. D. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)

, said he objected to voting large sums of public money at this late hour of the night. It was all very well for the right hon. Gentleman to say it was simply for the purpose of spending money upon proposals which were incorporated in a Bill which had already been read a Second time. As far as he understood, the proposal was to spend about £500,000 upon the acquisition of sites for public buildings. He should like to know, in the first place, who had made the valuation for the purpose of paying that sum of money. Was it simply an arbitrary sum which was fixed by the right hon. Gentleman, or was it based upon an official valuation by the assessors appointed by the Treasury?

And, it being Midnight, the Chairman left the Chair to make his Report to the House.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.