§ CLASS II.
§ 1. "That a sum, not exceeding £38,244, be granted to Her Majesty, to complete the sum necesary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March 1890, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Offices of the House of Lords."
§ 2. "That a sum not exceeding £44,420, be granted to Her Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March 1890, for the Salaries and Expenses in the Offices of the House of Commons."
767§ MR. A. O'CONNORI should like to ask a question I was unable to ask in Committee with regard to the fees received by this House. There is a Fee Fund in the House of Lords which is, I believe, submitted to the Controller and Auditor-General for audit, and I desire to ask whether there is in connection with the House of Commons any Fee Fund, and if so, whether it is submitted to the Controller and Auditor General, and if it is, what is the condition of the Fund, and what is done with the money?
§ *SIR R. FOWLER (London)I should like to make an appeal to the Government to consider before next Session whether something ought not to be done to increase the salaries of the officers of the House. There must, I think, be a very general feeling on the part of Members in all parts of the House that the work of the officers of the House has been much increased. The autumn Session of last year was no doubt due to exceptional circumstances; but nevertheless it did occur, and it may occur again, entailing heavy additional work on the officers, who have to attend during very protracted sittings. The salaries of the officers of the House, which were never very high considering the duties they have to perform, were fixed by former Governments when the work was very much loss than it is now. I therefore ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider before next Session whether some addition may not be made to the inadequate remuneration of these gentlemen, who discharge most important public duties to the satisfaction of all sections of the House.
§ MR. BIGGARI would suggest that a Committee of the House be appointed to consider the question of the salaries paid in the two Houses of Parliament, and to report concerning it. It is preposterous that we should discuss year after year the question of salaries without having the facts before us. For the Ministry to recommend an increase of salaries in one House, and not pull down those in the other, would be unreasonable. I think that the aggregate of the salaries should be lower, but if the salaries paid in the 768 other House were lowered, those paid here might be increased.
§ *MR. JACKSONIn answer to the hon. Member for East Donegal (Mr. A. O'Connor), I have to say that the fees taken for business in this House are paid direct into the Exchequer. There is no Fee Fund.
§ *MR. JACKSONYes, under Statute, by the Speaker.
§ Resolutions agreed to.