§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, he wished to ask Mr. Attorney General, Whether his attention has been drawn to the Returns of Sessions 1862 and 1867, relative to the Middlesex Registry Office, showing that the three sinecure Registrarships are now worth nearly £2,400 per annum each; whether he has observed that these officers perform their duty by deputy, although the 12th section of the Act of 7 Anne, c. 20, requires them to attend at their offices daily from 9 to 12 and from 2 to 5; whether he has observed that they levy a fee of 7s. for every memorial of 700 words, and 6d. for every additional 100 words, whereas the Act only authorizes about half that amount—namely, ls. for 200 words, and 6d. for every additional 100 words, "and no more;" whether he will take proceedings to compel compliance with the Statute in these respects; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will introduce a Bill to prevent any new appointment being made to these offices on a vacancy taking place?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, his attention had already been drawn to the subject to which the hon. Gentleman had referred, and it was accurate that the present income of each of those officials amounted to nearly £2,400 per annum. With reference to the second Question, he believed it was true that the duties were performed exclusively by deputy. It was, however, right to observe that the Act carefully provided for the appointment of deputies by these officials, and for the discharge of their duties either by the principals or by the deputies, and that subsequent legislation had confirmed that view of the case. In answer to the hon. Gentleman's third Question, he had to state that it was also accurate that the fees raised were considerably in excess of the particular fees authorized by the Act; but these excessive fees, although without any sufficient or legal warrant, had been levied ever since the year 1768. With reference to the remaining Questions of the hon. Member, he might say that the whole scheme of the Middlesex Registration required revision and amendment, and that, therefore, it would be unadvisable to legislate with regard to it in the piecemeal manner suggested by the hon. Gentleman. He proposed to introduce a measure dealing with the whole subject in the course of 1873 next Session. He had had the matter under consideration before the meeting of Parliament, but the state of public business had prevented him from introducing a Bill dealing with it this Session. Should any vacancies occur in the meantime they would probably be filled up; but the new appointments would no doubt be subject to future legislation.
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, that these appointments were in the hands of the Judges and not of the Government, and he wished to ask Mr. Attorney General whether he will take efficient steps to enforce the daily attendance of the gentlemen holding these appointments?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALsaid, that the Act provided for the discharge of the duties by the deputies. With the prospect of speedy legislation upon the subject, it would, he considered, be improper to attempt any interference at present.
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, he would call the attention of the House to the subject on a future day.