§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do resolve itself into a Committee to consider of authorising the charge on the Consolidated Fund of such sums as may be required to make good liabilities arising out of the default of the Public Trustee or his officers appointed under any Act of the present session to provide for the appointment of a Public Trustee and Executor, and of authorising the payment, out of Moneys provided by Parliament, of the salaries and other expenses payable in pursuance of such Act (King's Recommendation signified), to-morrow."—(Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.)
§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)asked for some explanation of the Motion.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire. E.)said the House was probably aware that this Bill had already 1392 passed its Second Reading. It was a private Member's Bill authorising the appointment of a Public Trustee, and great progress had been made with it in the Grand Committee, but further progress was delayed for the consideration of the money clause. He believed that the Bill would not ultimately involve any charge on the public funds, and indeed it might prove a source of revenue, but it was necessary to authorise the money clause: hence this Motion. Although he was making it in his capacity as a Minister of the Crown, he had no intention or desire to make the Bill a Government measure; but as hon. Members on both sides were anxious to pass it the Government considered that they should not be prevented by a mere technicality.
§ Question put, and agreed to.