The House of Commons was asked on Tuesday to make
provision for the Princess Louise of Wales on her marriage -with Lord Fife, and for Prince Albert Victor of Wales, the future King, now twenty-five years old. Mr. Labouchere and his followers, however, insisted that any grant should be preceded by the appointment of a long-promised Select Com- mittee to report upon past and future provision for members of the Royal family, exclusive of the Sovereign and the Heir. As the Radicals threatened obstruction at every stage, and as the matter, owing to the increasing numbers of the Royal family, is really perplexing, the Ministry on Thursday assented to the Committee. Mr. Gladstone entirellapproved, and took occasion to point out that whereas in George m.'s time the Royal family, including the Heir, drew 2500,000 a year, they now received only £170,000, which he thought fair and moderate. His Left Wing were not, however, contented at all; and Mr. Labouchere announced that if he did not like the recommendations of the Committee, he should pass them by and oppose the grants at every stage. Mr. Bradlaugh also demanded that the condition of the Civil List should be referred to the Committee, apparently with the view of dis- covering how much the Queen had saved; but this was defeated by 313 to 125.
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