THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, he rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to 428 amend the Law relating to the granting of Pensions to persons holding certain offices connected with the Administration of Justice. The House was aware with regard to pensions in general that the great majority of them were paid out of the funds of the Treasury, and were subject to the provisions of the Superannuation Acts. With regard, however, to some Pensions in Chancery, Lunacy, and Bankruptcy, Parliament had given power to the Lord Chancellor of granting them, and of determining their amount, and the circumstances under which they were to be granted. Now, that was a power which it was not desirable to continue; indeed, the only reason why the power of granting such pensions had been bestowed on the Lord Chancellor was that they were paid out of funds under his control. The subject, it would be remembered, excited a good deal of attention last Session: and it was then felt by the Government, that it was equally desirable for the public, and for the Lord Chancellor, that the practical responsibility and control should be vested in the same department, which exercised it in other cases, The object of the present Bill was to put, as far as was possible, all legal pensions under the control of the Treasury. Judges of the Court of Chancery and the Courts of Common Law, would not come within the operation of the Act, which, however, would apply to all persons of a lower degree holding offices connected with the Administration of Justice in those Courts. The Lord Chancellor would still make the final orders for payment of pensions payable out of the funds under his control.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to amend the Law relating to the granting of Pensions and Superannuation Allowances to persons holding certain offices connected with the administration of justice in England, ordered to be brought in by Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL, Mr. CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUIR, and Mr. CHILDERS.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 8.]