HC Deb 29 June 1836 vol 34 cc1048-50
Mr. Hume

moved Resolutions for carrying into effect the recommendations of the Committee,, whose anxious desire had been to do all in their power to render justice to every individual. The following Resolutions were then agreed to: — That this House agree with the recommendations of the Select Committee, that the annual sum of 911l. be allowed to Mr. John Pratt, the head doorkeeper, during the time he shall continue to perform the duties of his office, in lieu of all salary, fees, gratuities, and emoluments whatsoever, That the annual sum of 874l. be allowed to Mr. F. Williams, the under doorkeeper, during the time he shall continue to perform the duties of his office, in lieu of all salary, fees, gratuities, and emoluments whatsoever. That the annual salary of each of the door-keepers, after Mr. Pratt and Mr. Williams shall retire, be 400l., in lieu of all fees, gratuities, and emoluments whatsoever. The other resolutions to the 13th, inclusive, were then agreed to.

On the 14th Resolution being proposed, That the recommendation of the Committee as to the future establishment of the Members' waiting-room, be approved,

Mr. Wigney

said, that he thought that in comparison with the salaries provided for some of the officers of the House, and which he did not consider too much, the allowance of one individual who had very arduous duties to perform was exceedingly disproportionate. He alluded to the individual who attended in the Members' lower waiting-room. At present the income of that individual amounted to upwards of 600l, per annum; from guinea fees alone he received 560l., but of this he paid 200/. per annum, and he had also to pay an assistant and porter. That individual had filled that situation for fifteen years, which included seventeen Sessions, and during that time he had never been absent from his post a single day. His room was opened at eleven in the morning, and he remained there until the House rose at night, and more need not be said to show the arduous nature of the duties he had to perform. The hon. Member concluded by proposing as an amendment, "That the salary of Thomas Collett be 400l. a-year, instead of 200l. a-year, as recommended by the Committee."

Mr. Hume

said, it was difficult for the Committee to satisfy all parties. However, if the hon. Member had attended to the proceedings of the Committee he would find that this individual had no reason to complain. He had been examined before the Committee of 1833, and he stated, that he was not on the establishment, but that he had been put into his situation by Mrs. Rawlinson, with the permission of Mr. Seymour. That his whole receipts did not exceed above 425l. a-year, out of which he paid to Mrs. Rawlinson 300l. a-year, so that the amount he received himself did not exceed 125l. a-year. The Committee thought that, on the whole, they had dealt liberally with him, for, instead of holding his situation at the will of Mrs. Rawlinson, he now held his appointment from the House, and had the chance hereafter of being promoted to a higher salary. He (Mr. Hume) had no doubt that if Mr. Collet chose to retire tomorrow the Serjeant-at-Arms would get as good a man to perform the duties for 100l. a-year.

Mr. Wigney

said, that in the amendment he had proposed he had no intention to cast any imputation on the Committee. If the sense of the House was against him he would not press his motion.

Amendment withdrawn.

Mr. Estcourt

moved, "That the annual sum of 778l. be allowed to Mr. John Bellamy, the deputy house-keeper, during the time he shall continue to perform the duties of his office, in lieu of all salary, fees, gratuities, and emoluments, whatsoever; and that the annual sum of 300l. be allowed to him for the servants requisite to keep the House, the Committee, and other rooms, passages, &c, clean."

Mr. Hume

said, the resolutions of the Select Committee were in his opinion the best rule for the guidance of the House. It lay, however, with the House to adopt or depart from them, and to say, whether one rule should be laid down for the remuneration of the housekeeper and another for the messengers.

Sir James Graham

thought it right to abide by the resolutions of the Committee, and suggested that the salaries, when fixed should commence on the 1st of January.

Amendment withdrawn. Resolutions of the Committee agreed to.