§ Mr. Spring Rice, in moving a vote of 15,920l. for the relief of the Toulonese and Corsican emigrants, American loyalists, Dutch naval officers, Saint Domingo sufferers, and others, who had heretofore received allowances for services performed, or losses 995 sustained in the British service, observed, that the Committee would find, that there was a more economical arrangement in this Estimate than in those of former times, when there had been a careless and extravagant expenditure. In one instance, where the sum of 2,100l. had been voted, there had been 700l. charged for making the payments; and in another, where the expenditure was 9,000l. it cost 900l. for the same | purposes. In the present vote, this had been avoided;, the grant and charges for payment had been placed under one head, and a reduction of 7,000l. had been effected.
Mr. R. Gordonwished for sonic explanation of this circumstance from the hon. Gentlemen opposite; and begged to ask, how they could countenance such extravagant expenditure of the public money?
Mr. Goulburnsaid, that the individuals employed to pay those grants were very infirm and aged, and it was expected they would die off. The necessity of employing extra hands caused the expense. He acknowledged that there needed some alteration.
Mr. Humewished to know, if any part of these sums were paid to refugees, for any services rendered to the French nation; if so, he must protest against the payment.
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, there were no such services paid for.
§ Mr. Ruthvenwished to know, if any time had been appointed for the consideration of Sir A. B. King's claim.
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, the case would be entered into in the first Committee of Supply.
Mr. Robert Gordonthought some further explanation was required of the circumstance of so much waste of the public money in paying the grants to emigrants, while the right hon. Gentlemen opposite had been in office. The late Chancellor of the Exchequer had been aware of the abuse, but took no means to remedy it.
§ Vote agreed to.
§ 2,500l. was then voted for the expenses of the National Vaccine Establishment; 3,000l. for the support of the institution, called the Refuge for the Destitute; and 3,039l. for confining and maintaining persons convicted of offences, who were Lunatics.
§ An Hon. Member wished to know, what was the criterion for placing a criminal in this confinement.
996§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, in reply, the verdict of a Jury, finding' the prisoner guilty, but not in a sane state of mind, was the sole requisite.