§ On the report of this bill being brought up,
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer observed, that the object of the amendment contended for last night was, in his opinion, not sufficiently provided for by the words that were adopted; and, he should therefore propose an amendment upon the former 27 one, to this effect: "That the commissioners be directed to enquire into any profits made by persons in office, holding sums, or balances of public money in their hands, or by any agents or other persons on their account."
§ Mr. Grey acquiesced in the proposal; but having observed that the military hospital, academy, and Asylum, were specified, he suggested that the medical board should also be included.
§ Mr. Fox was of opinion, that instead of leaving any enquiry into former abuses to the discretion of the commissioners, as the bill did, were any distinction to be made, the reverse should rather be the case. Matters of form, and such as were of secondary moment, might be fairly left to their discretion; but it was singular to leave it to their option whether they were at all to do that which ought properly to be enjoined them as a duty. The enquiry should at least, he thought, go as far back as the year 1793, and though the extent of it might be left to their discretion, yet the enquiry itself should not be made a proviso.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer was against any limitation in respect to time, and was not altogether unwilling, which he apprehended would meet pretty nearly the honourable gentleman's idea, that the commissioners should be directed to enquire into former abuses as far as they should think expedient, leaving both the time, the degree, and manner of enquiry, discretionary.—These amendments were severally agreed to, and the bill ordered to be read a third time on Tuesday next.