§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Lord SANDHURST), in rising to move the second reading of the Bill, said, that previous to the introduction of the Bill of 1881 some changes in the status of the Patriotic Fund Commission were in contemplation, and these changes included a statement in the Preamble of the Bill—that the Patriotic Fund Commissioners should apply to the Charity Commissioners for a scheme for the management of their girls' school. The proposed alterations not being carried out, the powers of the Patriotic Fund Commission being somewhat extended, the necessity for the action of the Charity Commissioners in regard to the girls' school ended. By the proposed arrangement it was intended to relieve the Patriotic Fund Commissioners from the obligation to apply to the Charity Commissioners, as it was considered that administrative convenience 997 would ensue, and that the administration would be carried out with greater economy, which would, therefore, not require any reduction in the numbers of the girls. There was a clause giving power to receive subscriptions in aid of the funds of the Commission.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Sandhurst.)
§ LORD CHELMSFORDsaid, he quite approved of the object of the measure.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.