HC Deb 02 May 1821 vol 5 cc490-1

The House having resolved itself into a Committee of Supply, lord Palmerston moved, "That 35,000l. be granted for defraying the charge of Fees expected to be paid at the Exchequer by the Pay-Master-General of the Land Forces, in Issues for Army Services."

Mr. Hume

thought that the idea of the public paying for the payment of its own money was the most preposterous that could be imagined. He could wish the chancellor of the exchequer to bring the whole of the fees thus paid into one account, and then to debit them to the consolidated fund. If so desirable a simplification of accounts were adopted, the House would no longer be in the dark as to the gross amount of these fees.

Sir C. Long

said, the regulation was, that two-thirds of the fees payable on issues from the exchequer on account of the army, should be carried to the consolidated fund; and an act had been passed for that purpose. Now, what was the complicated state of the accounts of which the hon. member complained? The fees paid into the exchequer on military issues had, from time immemorial, been voted in the committee of supply, and were partly handed over to certain officers whose property they were; the remainder went to the consolidated fund.

Mr. Hume

said; his proposition was, that all fees received at any public office, to which the public had a claim, ought to be brought to one account, and carried to the consolidated fund. At present the treasury account comprised four documents, and nothing could be more complicated. The duties performed at the exchequer ought not to be paid by fees.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

replied, that those fees were regulated by law, and were the vested rights of individuals. By interfering with them, the House would enter into a complicated inquiry with little prospect of advantage.

Mr. Hume

Wished to know whether, on the death of the persons now entitled to them, the fees would be abolished, or settled on their successors.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, that in the event of new appointments, such appointments would be open to any pew regulation that might be considered necessary.

Mr. Bennet

said, he had no objection to pay liberally persons employed in the public service, but he would wish to see them paid by votes of that House, not by fees.

The resolution was agreed to.