HC Deb 31 January 1809 vol 12 cc205-6
Mr. Sec. Canning,

by command of his majesty, presented from the bar, a copy of the Patent appointing Mr. Jeffery his majesty's Consul-General in Portugal.

Lord Folkestone

wished to be informed, whether any salary was annexed to the office of Consul-General in Portugal, as that did not appear by the patent of appointment.

Mr. Canning

replied, that no salary was annexed upon the face of the patent, because no emolument was derived from the public revenues of this country. The salary was derived from the Consul's fees, which fluctuated in amount between 1,500l.per annum the lowest, and 3,000l.the highest limit. At the appointment of Mr. Jeffery, it was thought desirable to lower the emoluments of some Consuls, and raise those of others, and to place the Consulate in Portugal on the footing of the North American Consulate, excluding persons in trade, and limiting the income. The amount of emolument which Mr. Jeffery was to have, was 1,500l.per ann. and one fourth of what fees he should collect over that sum, as an inducement to ensure their collection; the other three-fourths of the surplus of the fees over 1,500l.to be handed over to the fund, as a provision for other Consuls. He was, however, to admit, that an assurance had been given to Mr. Jeffery, that if the fees of his office should fall short of 1,500l.they should be made good to that amount, so that it was barely possible that he should have to derive any part of the income of his office from the public revenue of this country.

Mr. Tierney

asked whether it was intended that the salary of the office was to be enjoyed by a member of parliament resident in this country without vacating his seat.

Mr. Canning

replied that he had imagined the hon. gent, whose appointment was alluded to, had immediately proceeded to his destination, until this question had been started, when, upon inquiry, he found he had been detained by private affairs. If that gentleman should hereafter return for a time to England upon leave of absence, he saw no reason why he should be precluded from receiving his fees of office.