HC Deb 22 July 1831 vol 5 cc257-8

On the Motion, that the Committee on this Bill be deferred to Monday next,

Mr. George Dawson

said, he wished to call the attention of Irish Members to this Bill. It was intended by it to establish a permanent body of Commissioners, with large salaries, to arrange and superintend the employment of 500,000l. to be expended in carrying on public Works in Ireland. Now, when they heard so much of economy, this, at least, was no proof of it, to pay large salaries for work which used to be done by unpaid Commissioners. He objected to the principle and detail of the Bill. If it was necessary to appoint Commissioners at all, it should be done annually; they would then be under the control of the House: but the present plan was, to insure patronage, and he should, therefore, feel it his duty to oppose the Bill, and shew what its real objects were.

Mr. Stanley

must complain of the course pursued by the right hon. Gentleman, when the only question was, to postpone the consideration of the Bill to a future opportunity. The right hon. Gentleman had talked of large salaries, but no salaries were yet fixed, and the blank was to be filled up in the Committee. The Bill had for its object to abolish several Boards by which the business was badly done, and appoint one by which more work would be done, and at a less expense.

Mr. George Dawson

should be prepared to show, at a proper time, that this was a job of the right hon. the member for Limerick.

Mr. Hume

wished to know if any of the present Commissioners were to be continued, and the length of their services.

Mr. Stanley

replied, one: some of the others were entitled to superannuation.

Mr. George Dawson

wished to learn, which of the three Commissioners was to be continued? One had served thirty, another sixteen, and the third six years. He understood the last was to be retained, the least efficient of the whole.

Mr. Stanley

regretted to hear that the Government with which the right hon. Gentle- man had been connected, had appointed an efficient Commissioner only six years ago. He hoped those that were proposed to be now appointed, would be found capable.

Mr. George Dawson

had not said inefficient, but the least efficient of the three.

Committee deferred.