The Hon. J. W. Wardobserved, that by the Gazette it appeared, that colonel M'Mahon had been appointed to the office of Keeper of the Privy Purse and Private Secretary to the Prince Regent. He wished to be informed by the right hon. gentleman opposite, what salary was attached to these places, and what were the duties belonging to them, as he was completely ignorant upon the subject, not knowing until now that any such situation as Private Secretary to the Regent existed?
The Chancellor of the Exchequeradmitted the fact of the appointment. He presumed that the hon. member was not ignorant that colonel Taylor had held the same 121 situation under the King for many years, and the same salary that was given to that gentleman had been continued to colonel M'Mahon. Undoubtedly it was to be deemed a new office; and if the question were put to him with a view to ascertain whether it were his opinion that the nomination was such as to vacate colonel M'Mahons seat in that House, he should answer that it was included in the act of parliament.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, that the duties were various and important, although the offices would carry with them no official sanction, as the Secretary of state for the Home Department would still continue to be the fit organ for receiving and communicating the pleasure of the Prince Regent.
§ Mr. Whitbreadwished to know whether, before the nomination of colonel Taylor as private secretary to the King, any such place had existed? Under the infirmity of sight of his Majesty, no one could doubt of the necessity of such a confidential servant, but as little hesitation could be felt in conceding that no such officer would be required by the Regent. He was anxious likewise to learn (the place having been made a State Office by The Gazelle,) whether the nomination of col. M'Mahon was to be paid out of the same fund as that from which col. Taylor derived his salary?
The Chancellor of the Exchequerobserved, that the hon. member being in possession of all the facts, he could, if he thought fit, bring the matter formally under the consideration of the House. He admitted, that before the infirmity of the King no private secretary had been appointed; but from the great accumulation of public business, from various causes, those who expected that the person occupying the throne could fulfil all his functions without assistance, would look for impossibilities.
Mr. Wardinquired whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer would have any objection to mention who advised the appointment?
Mr. Wynnsuggested the propriety of passing a special enactment, by which it should be provided that appointments under 122 the Regent should vacate seats in the House, as well as appointments under the King, to which the statute now applied.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerreplied, that he thought the act, as it was now worded, would include both: if not, however, the defect could be remedied. He was not at all prepared to say that appointments to offices under the Regent, as duke of Cornwall, were, or whether they ought to be embraced by it.
Mr. Wynnremarked, that his question referred to appointments of lords of the bedchamber, &c. under the Prince Regent. In such cases the act might perhaps be evaded.