The Sun.
London, England, 1827-06-12 00:00:00

COUNTY OF WICKLOW ROADS.

It was ordered, on the motion of Mr. JAMES GRAT-
TAN, that there be laid before the House an Account of all
the Sums of money advanced for Road-making iu the
County of Wicklow since 1800, distinguishing to whom
paid, and how applied.
SUPPLY.

Mr. HERRIES moved the Order of the Day for receiv-
ing the Report of the Committee of Supply.
Sir A. GRANT brought up the Report, which was
read.

Mr. HUME rose to object to one item, but resumed hie
seat, on being informed by Mr. Herries that the item was
so inserted by mistake.
Upon the Resolution for granting a sum of 500,0001. to
meet the probable expellees in Portugal,
Mr. HUME said that he had in the Committee given
notice of his intention to recerd his opposition to this
grant upon bringing up the report. Finding, however,
that there were but very few with him in this opposition,
he should decline doing so. He was also induced to decline
it, because he was the last .nan who could wish to raise an
objection calculated to have an injurious effect.
The vote was then agreed to.

WAYS AND MEANS.-FINANCE COMMITTEE,

Sir A. GRANT brought up the Report of the Com-
mittee of Ways and Means; and the Resolution for raising
the 500,0001. by Exchequer Bills, for the purposes voted
in the Committee of Supply, having been read,
Mr. HUME observed, that as the financial arrange-
ments of the country had been put off until next year—and
as every thing was to be deferred until the appointment of
a Finance Committee next Session, it was necessary the
House should be informed when that Committee was to be
appointed. Hon. Gentlemen were aware that according to
a rule recently established in that House, the Estimates
were to be laid on the table about the 15th February; or
in other words, fourteen days after the meeting of the
House, which was generally on or about the Ist of that

month. tithe Committee.woonot to Meet until that time,
then the present heavy etpenditUre'7of- the country could
hot be reduced in the interim: -He, for one, thought there
was nothing to be done or recommended by a Committee
that was not at present before-the Mollie. He recollected,
on a former occasion, when -he recommended the
appointment of a Finance Committee, the Right Hon.
Gentleman opposite and others stated, that no good could
come of such an inquiry; as-the Executive must always be
answerable for the public expenditure. He thought there
was much truth in these words, and he feared he should
have to ouote the Right Hon. Gentleman against himself.
He now wished to know whether it was the intention of
Ministers to call Parliament together in November,in order
to appoint.this Committee, so that they might have time
to make the necessary preparation for their inquiries ?
Mr. CANNING said he was sure the House would
agree with him, in thinking that it was wholly impossible
to answer the Hon. Member's question, as to when his
Majesty would be advised to convene Parliament after the
approaching prorogation—(hear, hear,)—a question which,
he would venture to say, was unprecedented in that
House. In objecting to this question, he wished to add,
that he also differed from the inference which the Hon.
Member seemed to draw fr4ro the non-appointment of the
Finance Committee before next year ; namely, that before
that period Ministers would not turn their minds to a re-
duction of expenditure.—(Hear.)—He assured the Hon.
Member, that from the moment they had time to turn
their minds to the subject, every reduction in their power
should he made, without waiting for the Committee ; from
the labours of which, however, when appointed, much
might naturally be expected.--(Heat, hear.)-•-lle hoped
the Hen. Member would feel satisfied with this balance
between a refusal to answer his first question and the in-
ference which he seemed to draw from a supposition that
the Committee was not to be appointed before February
next. _ . _

Mr. HUME said, he was perfectly satisfied with the
answer he had received—an answer which fully justified
him in putting the question he had to the Right Hon.
the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Resolutions were then agreed and leave given
to bring in a Bill pursuant to them.