§ Mr. Hume, in rising to move for a series of Returns of the ordinary and extraordinary expenses of the British Ambassador at Paris, and the Expenses, Salaries, &c. connected with the Consuls and Vice-consuls established in France and elsewhere, from the year 1814 to the present time, said, that the charges for these public servants appeared to him to be much greater than there was any necessity for. His object was, to show to the House, in a clear point of view, the expenses of that diplomatic service, as very large sums had been expended in outfits, purchase of a residence, payment to English Clergy, and presents. The sum allowed for the British Ambassador at the French Court was 11,000l. a year, and the Consul-general had a salary of 2,000l. He was of opinion, that when the returns were furnished, it would be shown that a great deal more had been paid for those purposes than was ever intended; and it was time to put an end to expenses so extravagant. He was desirous of knowing from the noble Lord, the Under-secretary of the Colonial Department, whether any and what alteration was in meditation in the Consular Establishment? He (Mr. Hume) knew that there were men of integrity and experience— merchants, who would gladly undertake the offices of Consuls and Vice-consuls, with no other remuneration than the fees. He would press upon the noble Lord whether, under such circumstances, the system ought not. to undergo a considerable alteration. He was aware that the Consuls established on the African coast were under different regulations—their duties being partly of a political nature. Since he had come into the House he had under- 641 stood that it was the intention of Government to dispose of the Ambassador's house at Paris, in order that a portion of the expenditure might be got rid of. With respect to the Consular establishment in France, he thought the trade between the two countries did not warrant the expenditure thus incurred. In order to see what the trade was, he was about to move for a return of the exports of British goods to France, and the import of French goods to this country, for a series of years—viz., from the Peace of 1814 to the present time, distinguishing the amount, exported and imported in each year. He hoped that the bad policy which had hitherto prevailed, and which had restricted the trade between the two nations, would be continued no longer; and he hailed with satisfaction the proposition which had been made a few nights ago for the equalisation of duty on foreign wines. This arrangement would have the effect of bringing French wines to this country, and, doubtless, British manufactured goods would be received in return. He believed that, when the latter returns were before the House, it would be a matter of surprise to some, to see how little traffic there had been between nations so well calculated for trading with each other. He believed it would be shown by the returns, that the evil consequences of our bad policy were more serious, he might say disastrous, than most people imagined. He, however, trusted that, ere long, the French government would perceive the value of carrying on an extensive trade with England. The hon. Member concluded by moving—
"For an account of the amount paid for the purchase of the residence of the British Ambassador at Paris, the amount paid in each year since the first purchase, for additions, repairs, furniture and establishment for the residence, up to the end of December 1830, and the total expense during that time (exclusive of the sums paid -in each year for the salary and extraordinary expenses of the British Ambassador and suites).—For the amount paid in each year since 1814, for the Salaries of British Ambassadors, Ministers, Envoys, Secretaries, Chaplains, and all others attached to the British Embassies in France, under the head of Ordinary Allowances; also, an account of all contingent expenses for plate, presents, for messengers, entertainments, and public 642 days (excepting monies paid for the purchase, repairs, and furniture of residence as required in the preceding order), so as to exhibit the entire of the extraordinary expense for the diplomatic department in Finance, and the total of both the ordinary and extraordinary expense in each year. —For the amount paid in Salaries and Allowances for British Consul-general, Consuls, and Vice-consuls, in France, in each year since 1814; specifying the place of residence, salary, and allowances of each, together with all contingent and extraordinary expenses incurred at or by the Consuls and Vice-consuls at their several residences in France, for Chaplains, Hospitals, or on any other account, and the aggregate amount for the same in that time.—Of the amount, in official and real value, of all British Exports to France in each year since 1814, distinguishing those of British from colonial produce; also, an abstract of the amount, in official value, of all Imports from France in each year, as far as the same can be made up during that time."
§ Lord Althorpsaid, he did not rise to oppose the Motion, and he was sorry, in the absence of his noble friend (Lord Howick), that he could not answer the questions of the hon. member for Middlesex; but this he could say, that with respect to the payment of Consuls, he knew that subject had been some time under the consideration of his noble friend and the noble Lord at the head of the Colonial Department.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ CUSTOMS' ACTS—On the Motion of Lord Althorp, the Report of the Committee on the Customs' Acts, embracing the resolutions to Repeal the Duties on Coals, was brought up and read. On the motion that the Resolutions be agreed to,