Commons Sitting of 22 December 1812

NAVY OFFICE CLERKS.
Sir F. Burdettput a question to the noble lord opposite, whether the clerks in the Navy Office (who, although they had purchased their situations from lord Barham, had had their emoluments most unduly curtailed) and to whose case he took occasion last session to call the attention of the House, had yet received any relief, or whether it was intended to afford the redress required? He understood that a representation upon this subject had been made from the Navy Office to the Board of Admiralty, and he wished to know what was meant to be done in consequence of that representation?
Lord Castlereaghexpressed his regret that he had it not in his power to answer the hon. baronet's question, of which had he been aware, he would have inquired after the information desired. He had, however, no doubt that complete justice would be done by the Admiralty. With respect to the hon. baronet's allusion
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to lord Barham, he trusted the hon. baronet did not mean by that allusion to insinuate any charge against that noble lord, who had, in the transaction referred to, merely followed the established official practice, and who was incapable of any dishonourable action.
Sir F. Burdettsaid, that he had it once in contemplation to bring forward a charge against lord Barham, and he still thought that no practice could justify the sale of these offices—but still less was he justifiable, after such sale, meanly to curtail the emolument of the purchasers.

LOCAL TOKENS.
Mr. Hudson Gurneyasked, whether it was the intention of ministers to press the provisions of the Local Token Act, and thereby to inconvenience the country in the present scarcity of silver, and the comparatively limited distribution of Bank Tokens?
The Chancellor of the Exchequerrepeated the statement which he said he had submitted to the House in the course of the discussions upon the Gold Coin Bill, namely, that although he fully approved of the principle of the Local Token Act, it was intended to postpone the operation of that principle for some months, be thought until about Midsummer, in order that measures might be taken in the interim to ensure a more liberal supply of Bank Tokens.
Adjourned to the 2d of February, 1813.