Sitting of 2 July 1866

MINUTES.
NEW MEMBER SWORN—Robert Dimsdale, esquire, for Hertford Borough.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Court of Session (Scotland)*[204].
Report of Select Committee—Writs Registration (Scotland) (No. 385)—Special Report (No. 386).
Report—Writs Registration (Scotland)*[203].

IRELAND—CARLOW LUNATIC ASYLUM.

  QUESTION.
  MR. BRUENsaid, he would beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether Dr. White, the Resident Superintendent of the Carlow Lunatic Asylum, has tendered his resignation; when that resignation was received by the Government; and, whether a new Superintendent has been appointed, and the date of the appointment?
  MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEreplied, that the resident superintendent of the lunatic asylum referred to by the hon. Gentleman, did not resign but died
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  about a week ago—on Monday or Tuesday last. The Government accordingly had to consider the claims of a gentleman who was strongly recommended as his successor, and if that gentleman's qualifications had proved to be satisfactory, there could be no doubt that the appointment had been already made by the Lord Lieutenant.

BANK RATE OF DISCOUNT.

  OBSERVATIONS.
  MR. CHILDERSmoved that the House, at its rising, do adjourn to Thursday next.
  MR. WATKINsaid, that before that Motion was put, he wished to call attention to a subject affecting the trade and commerce of the country, and which ought not to be allowed to pass out of view. For the moment there was no Government, except in this sense—that the Government though a Government de facto, had, he supposed, handed over their powers to their successors; but there was no Government really responsible. Persons engaged in trade and commerce had been anxiously inquiring whether the letter of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Bank of England was to remain unmodified, and whether, there being £15,000,000 of bullion in the Bank of England, and £26,000,000 in the Bank of France, the Bank of England were to be allowed to retain the rate of discount at 10 per cent. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not present he would appeal to the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Childers) to give some explanation respecting this matter, which was exciting great attention and also a feeling of some indignation. If the Bank of England were to be permitted by that House and the Government to hoist a storm signal at a time of great financial difficulty, it ought not to be allowed to retain that signal flying after the danger had passed. He really thought the matter so urgent and important that he should move that the House do adjourn to to-morrow in order that an explanation might be given by the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
  MR. CHILDERScould only reply to the remarks of the hon. Gentleman by saying that it was distinctly understood that no public business of any kind should be taken to-day. It only met pro formâ for the purpose of advancing certain Private Bills a stage, and therefore it would be quite wrong for him to give any opinion on the question raised by the hon. Gentleman

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  The Chancellor of the Exchequer was absent from the House, not having been aware that any such question would be raised. If, however, the right hon. Gentleman had been present he would, no doubt, have given a similar answer to the hon. Gentleman.
  Amendment negatived.
  Motion agreed to.

  THE REFORM MEETING IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE.—QUESTION.
  MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he desired to ask a Question that had reference to the public safety. It had been announced by placard that the projected meeting in Trafalgar Square had been adjourned to this evening, and he wished to ask the Home Secretary, Whether he and the Chief Commissioner of Police had taken such steps as they might think most calculated to preserve the public peace?
  SIR GEORGE GREY: Yes, they have.

  COMMITTEES.
  All Committees to sit, notwithstanding the adjournment of the House.
  Motion, That the House at its rising do adjourn to Thursday next, put, and agreed to.
  House adjourned at half after Four o'clock, till Thursday.

Preamble
MINUTES.]—PUBLIC BILL—First Reading—Railway Traffic Protection*(180).
Their Lordships met; and having gone through the Business on the Paper, without debate—
House adjourned at Four o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.