HC Deb 19 February 1900 vol 79 cc493-9

Resolution reported:—

"That towards making good the Supply granted to Her Majesty for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1900, the sum of £13,000,000 be granted out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom."

Resolution read a second time.

Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

MR. DILLON

said that this resolution agreed to in Committee of Ways and Means differed radically from that passed in October last, when the Vote of ten millions was passed for the commencement of the expenses of the war—a Vote which the House was led to expect would see us through the war. The Chancellor of the Exchequer then proposed two resolutions—first a resolution granting the money out of the Consolidated Fund, and second, a resolution that towards that sum of ten millions the Government should be authorised to issue a sum not exceeding eight millions by the issue of Treasury Bills, On that occasion, following the usual practice, the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a very interesting statement, in which he discussed that most important question, and justified it, or sought to justify it at considerable length. At any rate he took the Committee into his confidence. It was worth while recalling his words to the memory of the House:— I should hope that no member of the Committee would suggest that that war expenditure—though it be about to be incurred in a war which, unquestionably, is of greater magnitude than any in which we have been engaged for some time past—yet I hope that I no one will suggest that this is a case in which it should be provided for by a permanent addition to the Debt of the country. To my mind, no such permanent addition would be justifiable, except, of course, in the event, which I hope we shall never see in our time, of a war with a first-class Power. Now that statement was received with [universal approbation throughout the House. Then the Chancellor of the Exchequer went on to justify his action, which he admitted was a departure from precedents, not to make any provision for the expenses of the war out of current taxation, and he frankly stated that it was because there was only five months of the current financial year to run, and that therefore no now taxation proposals could be made effective. He should like to hear from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he thought the House was entitled to hear, some statement of the principles on which the right hon. Gentleman proposed to raise the present sum of £13,000,000.

MR. SPEAKER

said a discussion cm that point could not be allowed on the present resolution. The time for discussing the mode in which the money was to be raised would be at a subsequent stage.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.

said that at the present moment the Exchequer had means at its disposal for defraying current expenses without being obliged to come to Parliament. But it would be necessary before the close of the financial year to come to Parliament and ask the House to make provision for supplying further means to the Exchequer, and of course on that occasion he would explain fully to the Committee the mode in which he proposed to raise the money.

MR. TULLY

rose to continue the debate, when—

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

rose in his place, and claimed to move, "That the Question be now put."

Question put, "That the Question be now put."

The House divided:—Ayes, 189; Noes, 31. (Division List No. 26.)

AYES.
Acland-Hood, Capt. Sir Alex. F. Charrington, Spencer Foster, Harry S. (Suffolk)
Arehdale, Edward Mervyn Collings, Rt. Hon. Jesse Galloway, William Johnson
Arnold, Alfred Colomb, Sir John Charles R. Gedge, Sydney
Atkinson, Rt. Hon. John Corbett, A Cameron (Glasgow) Gibbs, Hn. A. G. H. (C. of Lond.)
Baird, John George Alexander Cross, H. Shepherd (Bolton) Gladstone, Rt. Hon. Herbert J.
Balfour, Rt. Hn. A. J. (Manch'r) Cubitt, Hon. Henry Goddard, Daniel Ford
Banbury, Frederick George Curzon, Viscount Godson, Sir Augustus F.
Barry, Rt. Hn. A.H.S. (Hunts) Dalrymple, Sir Charles Goldswothy, Major-General
Hartley, George C. T. Davies, Sir H. D. (Chatham) Gordon, Hon. John Edward
Beach, Rt. Hn. Sir M.H. (Bristol Davies, M. Vaughan (Cardigan Gorst, Rt. Hn. Sir John E.
Beach, Rt. Hn. W. W. B. (Hants Denny, Colonel Goschen, Rt. Hn. G. J. (St Geo's)
Beaumont, Wentworth C. B. Digby, J. K. D. Wingfield Graham, Henry Robert
Bethell, Commander Disraeli, Coningshy Ralph Gray, Ernest (West Ham)
Bill, Charles Dorington, Sir John Edward Greene, H. D. (Shrewsbury)
Billson, Alfred Douglas, Rt. Hon. A. Akers Gretton, John
Blakiston-Houston, John Douglas, Charles M. (Lanark) Greville, Hon. Ronald
Blundell, Colonel Henry Doxford, Sir Wm. Theodore Grey, Sir Edward (Berwick)
Bood, Edward Duncombe, Hon. Hubert V. Guest, Hon. Ivor Churchill
Bowles. Capt. H. F. (Middlesex) Egerton, Hon. A. de Tatton Gull, Sir Cameron
Brodriek, Rt. Hon. St. John Elliot, Hn. A. Ralph Douglas Haldane, Richard Burdon
Bullard, Sir Harry Emmott, Alfred Hamilton, Rt. Hon. Lord G.
Butcher, John George Faber, George Denison Hanbury, Rt. Hn. Robt. Wm.
Caldwell, James Fellowes, Hn. Ailwyn Edward Hanson, Sir Reginald
Carlile, William Walter Ferguson, R. C. Munro (Leith Hare, Thomas Leigh
Cavendish, R. F. (N. Lancs) Fergusson, Rt Hn Sir J. (Manc'r Haslett, Sir James Horner
Cavendish, V. C. W. (Derbysh.) Finlay, Sir Robert Bannatyne Hedderwick, Thomas C. H.
Cecil, Lord Hugh (Greenwich) Fisher, William Hayes Helder, Augustus
Chamberlain, Rt. Hn. J. (Birm. Fitz Wygram, General Sir F. Henderson, Alexander
Chamberlain, J. A. (Worc'r) Fletcher, Sir Henry Hermon-Hodge, Robt. Trotter
Chaplin, Right Hon. Henry Foster, Colonel (Lancaster) Hoare, Ed. Brodie (Hampstead)
Hoare, Sir Samuel (Norwich) Milner, Sir Frederick George Sharpe, William Edward T.
Hobhouse, Henry Milward, Colonel Victor Sidebotham, J. W. (Cheshire)
Holland, William Henry Monckton, Edward Philip Simeon, Sir Harrington
Horniman, Frederick John Montagu, Hon. J. Scott (Hants.) Sinclair, Louis (Romford)
Hozier, Hon. James Henry Cecil Moon, Edward Robert Pacy Smith, James Parker (Lanarks.
Jeffreys, Arthur Frederick More, Robt. J. (Shropshire) Smith, Hon. W. F. D. (Strand)
Jessel, Captain Herbert Merton Morgan, J. Lloyd (Carmarthen Stanley, Edward Jas. (Somerset
Johnston, William (Belfast) Morton, Arthur H. A. (Deptford Stewart, Sir Mark J.M 'Taggart
Kenyon-Slaney, Col. William Muntz, Philip A. Strachey, Edward
Kimber, Henry Murray, Rt. Hn. A. G. (Bute) Strutt, Hon. Charles Hedley
Lafone, Alfred Murray, Col. Wyndham (Bath) Sturt, Hon. Humphry Napier
Laurie, Lieut.-General Nicol, Donald Ninian Sutherland, Sir Thomas
Lawrence, Sir E Durning-(Corn Nussey, Thomas Willans Talbot Rt. Hn. J. G. (Ox. Univ.
Lawson, John Grant (Yorks.) Orr-Ewing, Charles Lindsay Thorburn, Sir Walter
Lea, Sir Thomas (Londonderry Penn, John Thornton, Percy M.
Lecky, Rt. Hon. W. E. H. Phillpotts, Captain Arthur Tollemache, Henry James
Leese, Sir J. F. (Accrington) Platt-Higgins, Frederick Tomlinson, Wm. E. Murray
Leigh-Bennett, Henry Currie Plunkett, Rt. Hon. H. Curzon Tritton, Charles Ernest
Llewelyn, Sir Dillwyn- (Swan.) Powell, Sir Francis Sharp Walton, Joseph (Harnsley)
Lockwood, Lt.-Col. A. R. Provand, Andrew Dryburgh Wanklyn, James Leslie
Loder, Gerald Walter Erskine Pryce-Jones, Lt.-Col. Edward Warner, Thomas Courtenay T.
Lorne, Marquess of Purvis, Robert Webster, Sir Richard E.
Lowe, Francis William Rentoul, James Alexander Welby, Lieut.-Col. A. C. E.
Loyd, Archie Kirkman Richardson, Sir T. (Hartlep'l) Whittaker, Thomas Palmer
Lucas-Shadwell, William Ritchie, Rt. Hon. C. Thomson Williams, Joseph Powell- (Birm.
Macartney, W. G. Ellison Robinson, Brooke Wilson, Frederick W.(Norfolk)
Macdona, John Cumming Round, James Wilson-Todd, Wm. H.(Yorks.)
Maclure, Sir John William Royds, Clement Molyneux Wortley, Rt. Hon. C. B. Shuart
M'Arthur, Charles (Liverpool) Russell, Gen. K. S. (Cheltenham Wyndham, George
M'Arthur, William (Cornwall) Russell, T. W. (Tyrone) Wyvill, Marmaduke D'Arcy
M'Crae, George Rutherford, John Young, Commander (Berks, E.)
Malcolm, Ian Ryder, John Herbert Dudley TELLERS FOR THE AYES—Sir William Walrond and Mr. Anstruther.
Martin, Richard Biddulph Sandys, Lt.-Col. Thos. Myles
Middlemore, J. Throgmorton Savory, Sir Joseph
NOES.
Abraham, William (Cork, N. E. Flynn, James Christopher Parnell, John Howard
Ambrose, Robert Hayden, John Patrick Power, Patrick Joseph
Austin, M. (Limerick, W.) Hayne, Rt. Hon. Charles Seale Redmond. J. E. (Waterford)
Condon, Thomas Joseph Kilbride, Denis Redmond, William (Clare)
K'rean, Eugene Lawson, Sir Wilfrid (Cumb'l'd) Sullivan, Donal (Westmeath)
Crilly, Daniel MacNeill, John Gordon Swift Sullivan, T. D. (Donegal, W.)
Curran, Thomas B. (Donegal) M'Dermott, Patrick Tally, Jasper
Dillon, John M'Ghee, Richard
Doogan, P. C. Mandeville, J. Francis TELLERS FOR THE NOES—Sir Thomas Esmonde and Captain Donelan.
Engledew, Charles John O'Brien, Patrick (Kilkenny)
Farrell, James P. (Cavan, W.) O'Connor, James (Wicklow, W.
Flavin, Michael Joseph O'Malley, William

Question put accordingly, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

The House divided: Ayes, 187; Noes, 30. (Division List No. 27.)

AYES.
Acland-Hood, Capt. Sir Alex. F. Bowles, Capt. H. F.(Middlesex) Cubitt, Hon. Henry
Archdale, Edward Mervyn Brodrick, Rt. Hon. St. John Curzon, Viscount
Arnold, Alfred Bullard, Sir Harry Dalrymple, Sir Charles
Atkinson, Rt. Hon. John Butcher, John George Davies, Sir H. D. (Chatham)
Baird, John George Alexander Caldwell, James Davies, M. Vaughan (Cardigan
Balfour, Rt. Hn. A.J. (Manch'r) Carlile, William Walter Denny, Colonel
Banbury, Frederick George Cavendish, R. F. (N. Lanes.) Digby, John K. D. Wingfield
Barry, Rt Hn AH Smith-(Hunts Cavendish, V. C. W. (Derbyshire Disraeli, Coningsby Ralph
Bartley, George C. T. Cecil, Lord Hugh (Greenwich) Dorington, Sir John Edward
Beach, Rt. Hn. Sir M. H. (Bristol Chamberlain, Rt. Hon. J. (Birm Douglas, Rt. Hon. A. Akers
Beach, Rt. Hn. W. W. B.(Hants. Chamberlain, J Austen (Worc'r Douglas, Charles M. (Lanark)
Beaumont, Wentworth C. B. Chaplin, Rt. Hon. Henry Doxford, Sir Wm. Theodore
Bethell, Commander Charington, Spencer Duucombe, Hon. Hubert V.
Billson, Alfred Collings, Rt. Hon. Jesse Egerton, Hon. A. de Tatton
Blakiston, Houston, John Colomb, Sir J. Charles Ready Elliot, Hon. A. R. Douglas
Blundell, Colonel Henry Corbett, A. Cameron (Glasgow) Faber, George Denison
Bond, Edward Cross, U. Shepherd (Bolton) Fellowes, Hon. Ailvyn Edward
Ferguson, R. C. Munro (Leith) Lafone, Alfred Richardson, Sir T. (Hartlep'l)
Furgusson, Rt. Hn. Sir J. (Manc. Laurie, Lieut.-General Ritchie, Rt. Hn. Chas. Thomson
Finlay, Sir Robert Bannatyne Lawrence, Sir E. Durning (Corn Robinson, Brooke
Fisher, William Hayes Lawson, John Grant (Yorks) Round, James
Fitz Wygram, General Sir F. Lea, Sir Thomas (Londonderry Royds, Clement Molyneux
Fletcher, Sir Henry Lecky, Rt Hon William Edw. H. Russell, Gen. F.S. (Cheltenhant)
Foster, Colonel (Lancaster) Leese, Sir Joseph F (Accrington Russell, T. W. (Tyrone)
Galloway, William Johnson Leigh-Bennett, Henry Currie Rutherford, John
Gedge, Sydney Llewelyn, Sir Dilwyn-(Swansea Ryder, John Herbert Dudley
Gibbs, Hn. A.G.H. (City of Lon. Lockwood, Lt.-Col. A.R. Sandys, Lt.-Col. Thos. Myles
Gladstone, Rt. Hn. Herbert J. Loder, Gerald Walter Erskine Savory, Sir Joseph
Goddard, Daniel Ford Lorne, Marquess of Sharpe, William Edward T.
Godson, Sir Augustus Frederick Lowe, Francis W. Sidebotham, J. W. (Cheshire)
Goldsworthy, Major-General Loyd, Archie Kirkman Simeon, Sir Barrington
Gordon, Hon. John Edward Lucas-Shadwell, William Sinclair, Louis (Romford)
Gorst, Rt. Hon. Sir John Eldon Macartney, W. G. Ellison Smith, James Parker (Lanarks
Goschen, Rt. Hn. G. J. (St. Geor. Macdona, John Cumming Smith, Hon. W. F. D. (Strand)
Graham, Henry Robert Maclure, Sir John William Stanley, Edward J. (Somerset)
Gray, Ernest (West Ham) M'Arthur, Charles (Liverpool) Stewart, Sir M. J. M'Taggart
Greene, Henry D. (Shrewsbury) M'Arthur, William (Cornwall Strachey, Edward
Gretton, John M'Crae, George Strutt, Hon. Charles Hedley
Greville, Hon. Ronald M'Kenna, Reginald Sturt, Hon. Humphry Napier
Grey, Sir Edward (Berwick) Malcolm, Ian Sutherland, Sir Thomas
Guest, Hon. Ivor Churchill Martin, Richard Biddulph Talbot, Rt. Hn. J.G. (Oxford U.
Gull, Sir Cameron Middlemore, J. Throgmorton Thorburn, Sir Walter
Haldane, Richard Burdon Milner, Sir Federick George Thornton, Percy M.
Hamilton, Rt. Hn. Lord George Milward, Colonel Victor Tollemache, Henry James
Hanbury, Rt. Hon. Robert W. Monckton, Edward Philip Tomlinson, Wm. Edw. Murray
Hanson, Sir Reginald Moon, Edward Robert Pacy Tritton, Charles Ernest
Hare, Thomas Leigh More, R. Jasper (Shropshire) Walton, Joseph (Barnsley)
Haslett, Sir James Horner Morgan, J. Lloyd (Carmarthen) Wanklyn, James Leslie
Hayne, Rt. Hon. Charles Seale Morton, Edw. J.C.(Devonport) Warner, Thomas Courtenay T.
Hedderwick, Thomas Cha. H. Muntz, Philip A. Webster, Sir Richard E.
Helder, Augustus Murray, Rt. Hn. A. Graham Welby, Lieut.-Col. A. C. E.
Henderson, Alexander Murray, Col. Wyndham (Bath) Whittaker, Thomas Palmer
Hermon-Hodge, Robt. Trotter Nicol, Donald Ninian Williams, Joseph Powell-(Birm
Hoare, E. Brodie (Hampstead Nussey, Thomas Willans Wilson, Frederick W. (Norfolk)
Hoare, Sir Samuel (Norwich) Orr-Ewing, Charles Lindsay Wilson-Todd, Wm. H. (Yorks.)
Hobhouse, Henry Penn, John Wortley, Rt. Hon. C. B. Stuart-
Holland, William Henry Phillpotts, Captain Arthur Wyndham, George
Horniman Frederick John Platt-Higgins, Frederick Wyvill, Marmaduke D'Arcy
Hozier, Hon. James Hy. Cecil Plunkett, Rt. Hn. H. Curzon Young, Commander (Berks, E.)
Jeffreys, Arthur Frederick Powell, Sir Francis Sharp
Jessel, Capt. Herbert Merton Provand, Andrew Dryburgh TELLERS FOR THE AYES—Sir William Walrond and Mr. Anstruther.
Johnston, William (Belfast) Pryce-Jones, Lt.-Col. Edward
Kenyon-Slaney, Col. William Purvis, Robert
Kimber, Henry Rentoul, James Alexander
NOES.
Abraham Wm. (Cork, N.E.) Flavin, Michael Joseph O'Malley, William
Ambrose, Robert Flynn, James Christopher Parnell, John Howard
Austin, M. (Limerick, W.) Hayden, John Patrick Power, Patrick Joseph
Condon, Thomas Joseph Kilbride, Denis Redmond, J. E. (Waterford)
Crean, Eugene Lawson, Sir W. (Cumb'land) Redmond, William (Clare)
Crilly, Daniel MacNeill, John Gordon Swift Sullivan, Donal (Westmeath)
Curran, T. B. (Donegal) M'Dermott, Patrick Sullivan, T. D. (Donegal, W.)
Dillon, John M'Ghee, Richard Tully, Jasper
Doogan, P. C Mandeville, J. Francis TELLERS FOR THE NOES.—Sir Thomas Esmonde and Captain Donelan.
Engledew, Charles John O'Brien, Patrick (Kilkenny)
Farrell, James P. (Cavan, W.) O'Connor, J. (Wicklow, W.)

Resolution agreed to.

Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. James William Lowther, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Mr. Hanbury.