§ Order of the Day for the Second Heading, read.
§ LORD NORTHBROOK, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, stated that the original estimate of the works was over £10,000,000; that a subsequent estimate was £7,470,000; that a loan of £6,000,000 had been authorized, the greater portion of which had been expended; and that the Bill authorized a further loan of £1,500,000, which it was believed would bring the works to completion. The estimate of 1867 would not be exceeded—indeed, the present estimate showed a reduction of a few thousand pounds. Last year, in consequence of a discussion in the House of Commons, Sir John Pakington, then Secretary for War, appointed a Committee of highly competent men to inquire into the condition of the works, and their Report gave a very high opinion of their construction, of the carefulness of the estimates, and generally of the designs. They recommended some modifications, which had been submitted to the Defence and Fortifications Committee, comprising His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief and eminent officers. One of them was that in consequence of the introduction of Captain Moncrieff's gun carriage the guns so mounted would not require the expensive iron shields otherwise necessary, and this would effect a considerable saving.
§ Motion agreed to: Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.