§ On the Report of the Committee of Supply being brought up, Mr. Hume objected to the sum of 112,195l. for the expense of Consuls, which he considered as enormous. He continually received representations from various quarters, complaining of the great expense and inefficiency of our consular establishments. He did not consider the information laid before the House, with regard to this vote, satisfactory. The public money appeared to be thrown away; and he must impress upon his Majesty's Ministers the necessity of thoroughly looking into this subject in all us bearings.
§ Mr. Spring Ricethought his hon. friend was renewing the discussions of the previous evening. Had he then been present, and heard the explanations given, 383 he would not have again complained. A proposition was under consideration, but Ministers required time to effect the proposed reforms.
Mr. Robert Gordonconsidered there had been an unnecessary expenditure in this respect, and trusted his hon. friend, the member for Middlesex, would direct his attention to the subject. Had he been present on the previous discussion, they might have been encouraged to divide the House on the vote.
An Hon. Memberalso concurred with the opinion that there had been unnecessary expense, and it was the general feeling that his Majesty's Ministers had delayed carrying their promised reductions into effect.
§ Lord Althorprepeated what had been said by his hon. friend last night. They proposed to consider the subject immediately, but his noble friend at the head of Foreign Affairs, had been so much occupied of late, that he had not been able to devote much time to the subject, which required considerable attention to adjust.