CIVIL CONTINGENCIES FUND.—(Class VII.) (Hansard, 10 February 1913)

§ Sir F. BANBURY
I had a little conversation with a Member of the Government on this point, and I do not think it would be advisable to discuss the Estimate now. I understand that the Government will put down the Report stage early, if not first Order, to-morrow, so that we can have the Debate on that stage. Under these circumstances, I am prepared to give them this stage.

§ Mr. MASTERMAN
If we can put it first, we will, if not we will put it as early as possible. I am most anxious that this should be discussed early to-morrow.

§ Mr. T. M. HEALY
Does this mean that the order of the Votes will be reversed?

§ Mr. MASTERMAN
I made a promise that this Vote should be discussed on Report as early as possible.

§ Mr. T. M. HEALY
I strongly protest against an arrangement which will put off the Insurance Vote. That is at it may be. I certainly protest against any suggestion that such a Vote as the Insurance Vote, which is for £1,800,000, should be placed after a Vote of a comparatively insignificant character, especially as I hold that the whole of these Supplementary Votes arc introduced to mask the fraud connected with the Insurance Vote. These are little trifling, peddling Votes, and there is no necessity whatever for these Votes being put down as Supplementary Estimates. The whole arrangement I regard as fraudulent; I have no hesitation in saying so. To put forward a Civil Contingencies Vote, and to put it in front of the most important Vote of the series which, by a most extraordinary arrangement, is the last of the Votes, is a wholly intolerable proceeding, and would, in my judgment, seem entirely to invert the due importance of these Votes. If anyone would look at the relative amounts of the Votes, I think they will see that. The Civil Contingencies Vote is a small Vote—

§ Sir F. BANBURY
May I point out to the hon. and learned Gentleman that the amount of the Vote does not always indicate the principle which is at stake. This is rather a large principle, and it has not been discussed at all; but, as far as I am concerned, I think the discussion of this Vote on the Report stage would not take more than forty minutes. I do not in the least mind in which order the Vote is taken, if the hon. and learned Gentleman wishes for the Insurance Vote, so long as it comes on early in the list.

§ Mr. T. M. HEALY
I should be very sorry to inconvenience anybody, but I do think that after the way in which we were treated on Friday night, after the Closure, that this is a Vote of a good deal of importance—£1,825,000—and that, from its amount alone, it is of far more importance than a Vote of £180,000.

§ Mr. MASTERMAN
It has always been, the custom—at least ever since I have been Financial Secretary—to take Votes on Report, in order to meet the convenience of hon. Members in all parts of the House—which have not been taken on the Committee stage. The Insurance Vote is Vote 8, because it appears last on the Estimates, but so far from being burked or shirked, the whole day was given on Friday, and it is the only Vote for which a whole day has been given. The hon. Baronet (Sir F. Banbury) is quite right in saying that though the Civil Contingency sum is small, the principle is an important one, and we ought to have a good discussion. If we can arrange it, it should go down first on the Report stage. In so far as we can meet the wishes of the hon. and learned Gentleman (Mr. T. M. Healy) we will see how far we can meet them.

§ Mr. T. M. HEALY
I am quite satisfied.

§ Mr. MASTERMAN
If we cannot meet his wishes on that day, the hon. and learned Gentleman can raise the whole question on the Appropriation Bill, and we will try to meet him then.

§ Mr. T. M. HEALY
I always recognise the right hon. Gentleman's efforts, and I will accept his promise, but if I raise this Question on the Second and Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill, I shall also raise it on the Report stage.
Question put, and agreed to.
Resolutions to be reported to-morrow (Tuesday).