HC Deb 02 July 1808 vol 11 cc1130-1
The Chancellor of the Exchequer

having moved the usual grants to the officers of the house, &c. and among others the sum of 1200l. to Mr. Wharton for his trouble in acting as chairman of the public committees of that house,

Mr. Biddulph

took occasion to repeat the objections he had more than once urged to this grant, which was equal to the allowance made to the commissioners of customs and excise. The duty to be performed by these gentlemen was constant, whereas the labour of the chairman of the committees of ways and means ceased with the session of parliament; which it was also his duty to attend, independantly of any emolument. If, therefore, 1200l. a year was a sufficient remuneration for a commissioner of customs or excise, he was of opinion it was greatly too much to be paid for the discharge of the duties of chairman of the committees of supply and of ways and means.—The different votes were then put and agreed to.