§ Lord Henry Petty roseto move for leave to bring in a bill for the better regulation of the office of treasurer of his majesty's ordnance. The principal object which he proposed by this bill, was to afford the public that security for the due administration of their money, to which they were entitled, by making it a legislative provision that all balances remaining in the hands of the treasurer should be deposited in the bank of England. It was true that there existed an order given by the board of ordnance to that effect; but it was desirable that the public should have better security than the mere act of any board, that the money which had been voted for particular purposes should be appropriated to those purposes, and to no others. As he was on the subject, he would take this opportunity of giving notice, that it was his intention to move for leave to bring in bills for enforcing similar regulations, and carrying into effect a similar principle, in the post office, excise office, custom house, &c.
§ Mr. Long,after bearing testimony to the measures which lord Chatham, whilst in office, was pursuing to the same effect, expressed his satisfaction at finding that the 234 same regulations were meant to be extended to all the public offices. He thought, however, that in the course of this arrangement, if the money accruing were, in all cases, to be deposited in the bank of England, it may be a proper consideration, whether there should not be increase of salary to the officers who heretofore had the benefit of holding sums of money for some time in their hands.—Leave was then given to bring in the bill.