§ Mr. Whitbreadrose to repeat a question he had asked on a former night, in the absence of a gallant officer, now in his place, but to which he was not then able to obtain any satisfactory answer. He wished, therefore, to learn, from the gallant officer opposite to him, Whether, while he was fighting the battles of his country on the continent, he still continued to hold the appointment and salary of Secretary to the lord lieutenant of Ireland?
§ Sir A. Wellesleysaid it undoubtedly was the wish of the noble personage now at the head of the Irish government, that no one should be appointed to that situation during his absence. It was certainly in the power of the noble duke to appoint some other person to fill that situation, if he had chose, during his absence; and he was prepared to expect it would have been done, had his absence continued much longer, But from personal kindness to him, the noble duke certainly retained his name in that situation while he went abroad with the army and during the two months he was absent, he certainly received part of the salary of that office; but then there was some part of that time for which he did not receive the full pay attached to his military situation; and every man who considered the nature of that situation, must be aware, that it was liable to very 313 heavy increase of expences, which he did not feel himself in a condition to afford.
§ Mr. Whitbreadsaid that although he did not wish to trouble the house with any observation on the subject, yet he should feel it his duty on a future day to submit a resolution to the house, That the office of chief secretary for Ireland was an efficient office.