The Chancellor of the Exchequerrose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to consolidate the office of Paymaster of the Forces, Paymaster of the Navy, Paymaster of Chelsea-Hospital, and Treasurer of the Ordnance. At present his right hon. Friend (Sir Henry Parnell) held those offices under separate appointments; the object of the Bill he wished to bring in was, to authorise one appointment for the whole of them. From the experience they had had during the time his right hon. Friend had held those offices, they felt convinced that the duties of all might be advantageously discharged by one person; and this with a prospect of further reductions being effected in the subordinate branches of these departments. He would briefly state some of the expenses of each department in times past, and what would be the effect of the proposed consolidation. In 1783, the salary of Paymaster General was 4,000l. a year. In 1784, two Paymasters General were appointed at salaries of 2,000l. each. In 1823, the salary of that office was reduced to 2,000l. a year. The Deputy Pay-Master General in the first period received 1,000l. a year. That was afterwards reduced to 500l.; but in 1830, that office became vacant, and was then discontinued. With respect to the Treasurer of the Ordnance, the expense of that office in 1815, was 1,858l.; in 1825, it was reduced to 1,500l.; and in 1830, it was further reduced to 1,000l. But the duties of that office were now discharged by his right hon. Friend without any emolument whatever. Before 1817, the salary of the Treasurer of the Navy was 4,000l. a year; it was then reduced to 3,000l. a year. The Bill dealt with these offices only so far as parliamentary authority was required for effecting a consolidation of them; the power that might be exercised by the Government itself was 1193 reserved to that authority. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving for leave to bring in the Bill.
§ Mr. Humewas extremely happy, that the right hon. Gentleman had brought in the Bill at last. He hoped it would simplify the duties of these offices as much as the measure lately passed had simplified the duties of the Exchequer. Indeed he believed it would have that effect, and be likewise productive of considerable economy.
§ Mr. Barlow Hoyalways thought, that the division of labour led to facility and perfection; he therefore feared, that whatever might be gained with regard to expense would be lost in efficiency by the proposed consolidation of these offices.
§ Leave given.