The Press.
London, England, 1856-04-12 00:00:00

2ILLETING IN SCOTLAND.

On Monday, on the motion that the house go into
a Committee of Supply,
Mr. COWAN commented upon the grievance which
resulted from the operation of the billeting system in
Scotland, and moved as an amendment a resolution
enjoining upon the Government the propriety of
taking means permanently to abolish this g rievance.
The amendment was seconded by Sir A. AGNEW,
and supported by Mr. BAXTER.

SATURDAY,

MI

Mr. PEEL remarked that by the conclusion of
peace the great cause of the hardship com plained
of had come to an end. The grievance was chiefly
occasioned by the proceedings relating to the
embodiment of the militia, and the Government had
sought by every means in their power to alleviate its
pressure.
The subject was pursued by Sir J. Fergusson, Mr.
Ewart, Mr. J. Macgregor, and other members, who
enlarged upon the losses and sufferings which the
inhabitants of various towns and districts in Scotland
had suffixed under the present system of billets.

Lord PALMERSTON, while confessing that much
hardship had been sustained, pleaded that the con•
tinuance of the billeting system was unavoidable
until a sufficient amount of barrack accommodation
had been provided, which was a matter requiring
much time and expenditure. With the cessation of
war the pressure would in a great measure cease, and
if the matter were left in the hands of the Govern.
ment, measures would be taken to prevent a renewal
of the inconveniences lately sustained by the Scotch
householders.

The resolution was supported by Mr. Duncan, Mr.
Blackburn, Mr. Laing, Mr. Crauturd, Mr. Spooner,
and Mr. Alexander Hastie ; and opposed by the
Lord Advocate, Lord Ebrington, and Sir G. Grey,
who hoped :hat the house would not pledge itself to
a hasty vote on a mere abstract resolution.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the house
must see that the question resolved itself into one
of finance. That the system was inconvenient it
was admitted, but would the house sanction an
increased expenditure for barracks, the only efficient
remedy ? _ _

Mr. DIERI.EII said he bad been struck by the ob-
jections, which seemed to Lim to be inconsistent.
The Secretary of State said that it was a mere ab-
stract resolution which would produce no effect,
whilst the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that it
was one essentially practical, which assumed in
reality the shape of a financial vote. He could not
agree with the right hon. gentleman that, if the
house should arrive at that vote, that it would be a
mere abstract resolution. But even if it were, ho
could not admit that it would be barren of result. It
would be one which would counsel the Government
to take a particular course, leaving to the Govern-
ment to decide the best means of carrying that
resolution into effect. The resolution did not call
upon the house to interfere with the matter of
barrack accommodation for soldiers, or to declare
that the system of billeting should be suddenly and
completely put an era to, but simply that this par.
ticular great and acknowledged grievance should be
terminated.

After some further discussion, the house divided,
when the numbers appeared—
For the resolution
Against

Majority against Government .. 23
Lord iPALMERSTON then moved that the house
resolve itself into a Committee of Supply, such a
motion, he remarked, not being, he believed, at
variance with precedent.
Mr. DISRAELI was totally at a loss to understand
or explain the reiterated assertions of those expe-
rienced right hon. gentlemen opposite that, if the
house arrived at that just and politic conclusion at
which it had just arrived, they should be precluded
from proceeding with the business of the country, and
that it was not in the power of the house to go into
Committee of Supply :
- •

- -
I congratulate the house (continued the right
hon member) upon the discovery that, although we
have accomplished an act of policy and justice, Wu
are still able to carry on the business of the country
and go into Committee of Supply ; but, at the same
time, I must express my regret that those who are
responsible for the conduct of public business and for
guiding the opinion of this house should be so profoundly
ignorant of their position—(", Hear, hear," and laughter)—
for they cannot have condescended to misrepresentation ;
and I congratulate the house, not only upon having de-
feated the Government in their opposition to a wise and
just resolution, but upon having been able to arrive at a
certain and accurate result with regard to the conduct of
public business. (Hear, hear.)
The house accordingly, in committee, resumed the
consideration of the Civil Service Estimates, and
various votes were agreed to, after discussion.
_ _

On the vote fur the National Gallery,
Mr. OTWAY moved the reduction of the vote by
the travelling expenses (6501.) of Sir Charles East-
lake and Mr. Mundler, the travelling agent, contend-
ing that Sir Charles was altogether unfitted for the
duties of director, as was well shown in his recent
" miserable " purchases, as well as in his own admis-
sions before the select committee of the House of
Commons. With regard to the travelling agent, there
was no evidence of his qualifications for the duties to
which he was appointed.
Mr. GRANVILLE VERNON spoke of the recent pur-
chases as unfortunate, but expressed a hope that Sir
Charles' Eastlake would, by his subsequent proceed-
ings; regain publio confidence. The vote for travel-

APRIL 12, 1856•

ling expenses he considered as extravagant, and would
vote against it.
Mr. llowyEn was informed that the " Adoration of
the Magi " had been offered at one time for 501.
Lord ELcuo bore evidence to the high character
of Sir Charles Eastlake, but thought his appoint-
ment to be director a mistake on the part of the
Treasury.
Mr. WILSON spoke in defence of the appointment
of Sir Charles Eastlake, remarking that his qualifi-
cations were carefully inquired into by the Earl of
Aberdeen.
After further remarks,
The committee divided, and the amendment was
negatived by 152 to 72.
The report of the Committee of Supply was
brought up and agreed to.

APRIL 12, 1856.
- -
ling expenses he considered as extravag
tote against it.
Mr, BOWYER was informed that the
had been offered at one tin
the
eLoMagrd Ei "
Lcuo bore evidence, to the 1
of Sir Charles Eastlake, but though
meat to be director a mistake on tl
Treasury.
Mr. WILSON spoke in defence of
of Sir Charles Eastlake, remarking t
cations were carefully inquired into 1
Aberdeen.
After further remarks,
The committee divided, and the ar
negatived by 152 to 72.
The report of the Committee
brought up and agreed to.
EDUCATION IN SCOTLANI
The LORD ADVOCATE, OD Tuesd
leave to bring in a to regulate an
provision for parochial schools in Scot
to make provision for education wit!
Scotland. With respect to the par
was impossible, he observed, to main
sive test, and his bill proposed to abol
did not propose to make a greater int
management of these schools than nec
He detailed the provisions in the forn
the latter, be said, be proposed to
councils the right to assess for the b
up to a certain amount, subject to rest]
two small measures, he said, were on
scheme for the improvement of edut
land; a third bill, which would place I
connection with the Minister and Cot
tion, he should develop hereafter.
After some remarks from Mr. BA]
that although the first measure did nc
his wishes and hopes, as a Dissenter,:
it as founded upon the basis of a corn
Mr. BLACK, who wished for a more
and national plan ; and from Mr. MAC
Sir A. AosEw, Mr. BLACKBURN, and
leave was given to bring in the bills.
LOCAL CHARGES ON SHIM
On Tuesday, on the motion of 1
following members were named as
mittee to inquire into local charges a
Mr. Lowe, Mr. Hardy, Mr. M. Gibson
Mr. Fenwick, Sir S. Northcote, Mr
Watson, Mr. Bouverie, Mr. Headlam,
Sir J. Duckworth, Mr. Duncan, Lord
Mr. Moffatt.
Mr. V. SCULLY denounced, with mut
habitual, not to say systematic, excl
members from committees and other I
calculated to give them their due weigl
and enable them to protect the local ii
land :
One would really suppose, on reading tl
model committee, that the Vice-President
Trade was ignorant of the geographical
land. Did the right hon. gentleman imq
some province in the centre of India, or
were a species of Australian kangaroos?
many week ago there was an announcemei
papers—the right hon. gentleman could in
whether it was correct or not—that he ws
Newtown Anner, county of Tipperary,
friend the Secretary to the Admiralty,
dropped down upon that hospitable mansh
he must have entered Ireland by one
Potts. (A laugh.) At all events, his frie
could have told him that Ireland posses
most beautiful harbours in the world, pr
respect a remarkable contrast to the fam
Kidderminster, which, perhaps, could la
finer than a miserable canal bearing a
slimy and sluggish bosom. (Laughter.)
to exclude. Irish members from the commi
charges upon shipping was one of the mot
used the word in a parliamentary sense—(
submitted to that house ; but the same t
done before, and it would be unfair to I
President of the Board of Trade more that
That very evening a Cabinet Minist
Secretary—had nominated a select comn
portation, on which there was only one
although formerly it used to be said tl
Malted a very large proportion of those she
(Laughter.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE]
t
ention, on the part of the Governmer
the Irish representatives, and on the pi
Proposed to enlarge the select commit
Lion of two Irish members.
Mr.I)ISRAEII deprecated
the reviva
long-exho
guished feuds between differ
the United Kingdom. He denied tha
presentatives were habitually prevent
PYing high places in the Administ
country, or were excluded from enjoy
of the Sovereign or the sympathy of
and instanced the appointment of the
to the Vice-presidency of the Board o 1
Port of his assertion,