§ On the motion of colonel Stanley, the committee to whom the petition of the duke of Atholl had been referred, were empowered to report their proceedings to the house from time to time.—Mr. Creevey moved for an account of the salaries, fees, and emoluments of the admiralty court, the register court, and the marshal court. The reason was, that the emoluments had increased to a great degree of late years, and he thought that these courts ought to be separated. Sir William Scott observed, that he had not the smallest objections to this; but it would be recollected, that he had no emolument from Sitting in the appeal court, and that he only sat there as a privy counsellor. Mr. Corry paid a high compliment to the abi 30 lity and attention of the hon. baronet, and said that it would be matter of regret to every nation in Europe, if he should not be permitted to act in the court in question. He saw no sufficient ground for the motions, and therefore would oppose them. Dr. Laurence admitted the right of any member of parliament to move for the accounts of the state of any public office, and it was almost a matter of course to grant them. But this was a court of judicature, and some strong grounds ought to be laid, before such accounts could be granted. The emoluments might be greater, because there was more business. But this was not a reason of itself for any new regulation. After a few words from sir Wm. Burroughs, Mr. Sturges Bourne, Mr. Creevey, the Attorney-General, and Mr. Vansittart, the motions were put and negatived.—Mr. Johnstone, from the office of the chief secretary of Ireland, presented an account of the number of game licences issued in that country; which was ordered to be printed.—On the motion of Mr. Huskisson, it was ordered, that there be laid before the house an account of the sums remaining unapplied, of the grants for naval service in 1800, on the 1st of September, in that year; and also of the sums actually paid in September, October, and November, of that year, as likewise of 1801.—Mr. Huskisson presented a copy of the orders given by the lords of the treasury to Claude Scott, esq. relative to the sale of neutral prizes.—The French Wine Duty bill was read a third time and passed.—The Spanish Wine Duty bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed.—The further consideration of the report of the committee on the bill for regulating the office of paymaster of the forces was postponed to Wednesday. — Mr. Alexander brought up the report of the committee of ways and means, which was agreed to.—A short conversation took place on the resolution respecting the stamp duty on banker's checks in Ireland. Mr. Foster explained that it was not his intention to lay a tax upon banker's checks; he merely meant to prevent a practice which prevailed in Ireland, and which was injurious to the revenue; the practice to which he alluded was, that of making banker's checks or small sums negotiable instruments, like bills of exchange. If they were actually bills of exchange they certainly would be liable to the stamp duty, and his only 31 object was to prevent this fraud in the revenue, by imposing a stamp duty upon checks under the value of 5l. if drawn by a person residing within ten miles of the banker, and if the check was not presented for payment within two days.—A short conversation likewise took place on the resolution for enabling his majesty to increase the number of commissioners of excise in Ireland from five to seven. Mr. Foster stated, that the business of the commissioners of excise in Ireland had of late increased so much that it would be necessary to increase their number; and in addition to their other duty it was proposed that they should now sit on the trial of revenue causes instead of the sub-commissioners. After a few words from sir J. Newport, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Ormsby, the resolution was agreed to; and bills were ordered to be brought in upon all the resolutions.—Mr. Alexander brought up the report of the committee on the bill for encouraging the consumption of beer in Ireland. Several amendments were introduced, and the bill was ordered to be read a third time on Wednesday.—Mr. Foster brought in a bill for the better regulation of duties on Irish Malt; which was read a first time.—The Irish Distillery bill was read a second time.