HC Deb 25 July 1831 vol 5 cc282-3

4,000l. to defray the charge of the Civil Establishment of the Island of Bermuda was proposed.

Mr. George Robinson

called the attention of the Committee to the disproportionate salary of the Secretary of the Colony—disproportionate as compared with the salaries of the secretaries of colonies of larger extent; and the duties of which were, he supposed, of a heavier kind. The salary of the Colonial Secretary of Bermuda was 800l. a-year, while the salaries of those of other colonies did not amount to more than 500l. a-year each.

Lord Howick

said, that the salary of the secretaries to the various colonies were as closely as possible proportioned to the weight and responsibility of the office. The Colonial Secretary of Bermuda united with that situation the office of private Secretary to the Governor, and the salary allowed to him struck the Government as not at all too high, considering the extent and variety of his labours. But the whole establishment of that colony had yet to undergo revision.

Mr. George Robinson

said, that the Secretary of that most horrible and pestilential colony, Sierra Leone, was allowed no more than 600l. a-year, while the Secretary of the island of Bermuda was considered entitled to 200l. a-year more. There certainly appeared to be no ground for giving to that individual a salary almost equal to that of the Governor.

Vote agreed to.

3,320l. to defray the charge of the Civil Establishment of Prince Edward's Island, for the year 1831, was also voted.