HL Deb 16 December 1854 vol 136 cc414-5
THE DUKE OF GRAFTON

having given notice that it was his intention to move, on Tuesday next, for a return of any sums of money which remained in hand from the Patriotic Fund established during the last war, and also for a return of the sums collected and received for the Patriotic Fund during the present war, and paid to the Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty, setting forth the places whence the subscriptions had come, and the names of the persons who had contributed.

THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGH

begged to suggest to the noble Duke that the Patriotic Fund established during the last war was a private fund, over which their Lordships' House could have no control whatever, and so no return could be ordered. In fact, the House had no official cognizance of it.

THE DUKE OF GRAFTON

thought the noble Earl might be right in his observation respecting the old fund; but the House had certainly a control over the Patriotic Fund for the present war.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE

said, it was undoubtedly true that the old Patriotic Fund was a private fund, over which Parliament had no control. With respect to the present Patriotic Fund, there might be no objection to part of the return asked for; but there were lists published weekly giving an account of all the sums collected and received, and the names of the contributors, and the return which the noble Duke indicated would only be a repetition of the sums and names which appeared in these weekly lists. With respect to the Patriotic Fund of the former war, the balance remaining vested in private trustees. That fund, unlike the present, was not collected under the authority of a Royal Commission; amid was not under the control of Commissioners? but if the noble Duke liked, he (the Duke of Newcastle) would undertake to make a communication to the trustees of that Fund, and would perhaps be able to ascertain the amount in hand. But of course he could not answer for the result of his application.

TEE DUKE OF GRAFTON

said, that under these circumstances, he would withdraw his notice altogether.