The Duke of Buckinghamwished to put a question to the noble Earl opposite, with respect to the state of the Civil List. He appealed merely to the Earl's courtesy, but hoped, that on a subject of so much consequence, the noble Earl would not refuse to give the information which he required. He wished, then, to know how it came that nothing had as yet been done with respect to the Civil List, and whether it was likely that a Bill on the subject would be introduced without much further delay? It was highly expedient that a matter of so much importance should not be left in the disgraceful state in which it stood at present. Although it was not very regular, perhaps, to allude to what was passing in the other House, where the Bill must first be introduced, yet it was notorious that there was a Committee of the House of Commons sitting on the subject, and had been sitting for a considerable time, without making any Report. He was desirous to know whether there was any time fixed for the Report being made, and how soon it would be made?
§ Earl Greyobserved, that to an application to his courtesy he should always be ready to reply with equal courtesy. The noble Duke could hardly fail to be aware that it was impossible for him (Earl Grey), as a Member of Parliament, to know more on the subject of what was passing in the other House than the noble Duke did. He regretted that so much delay had taken place, and that the subject had not been settled long ago; but as the matter was in the hands of the House of Commons, it was impossible for him, as a Member of Parliament, to take upon himself positively to give the noble Duke the information which he required. He might, however, venture to express his hope, that it was not likely that the delay would last much longer, and the noble Duke might be assured, that as soon as the Report was made, no time would be lost by his Majes- 177 ty's Ministers in introducing a Bill on the subject.
The Duke of Buckinghamsaid, that he spoke on account of information which he had received, that it was likely that the Report would be presented that evening.
The Duke of BuckinghamThen it might be expected that the Bill would be brought forward before Easter.
§ Here the subject dropped.