§ THE EARL OF REDESDALEbrought up the First Report of the Select Committee on the Office of the Clerk of the Parliaments and Office of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:—
The death of Admiral Sir Augustus William Clifford, Baronet, C.B., who has held the office of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod since the year 1832, has induced the Committee to take into consideration the various proceedings of the Committees of former years with reference to the payment of the holder of that office by a fixed salary in lieu of fees. The average of the Fees paid to Black Rod during the last 15 years has exceeded £5,300 per annum. Nearly the whole of such Fees accrue in respect of Private Bills, but as the duties of Black Rod are not in the least degree affected by the number of such Bills, the Committee are of opinion that the Emoluments of the office should not be derived from such Fees. The Committee are further of opinion that the vacancy in the office presents a favourable opportunity for determining that the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod should henceforward be paid by a fixed Salary. The Committee have, therefore, to recommend that the Salary of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod should be £2,000 per annum, with the apartments in the Palace of Westminster, originally assigned as the residence of Black Rod, and always occupied as such by Sir Augustus Clifford. The Committee cannot close this portion of their Report without acknowledging the long and faithful service of Sir Augustus Clifford. The Committee have also had under consideration the Salary of the Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod. And they recommend that the Salary hitherto paid, viz., £1,000 per annum, should be continued to the present Yeoman Usher during his tenure of that office. The Committee are of opinion that it would be premature to submit any recommendation to the House respecting the Salary of a future holder of the office.
§ Report considered and agreed to.