MASTER OF THE REPORT OFFICE. (Hansard, 13 February 1833)

§ Mr. Hume

wished to ask the noble Lord (Lord Althorp) if the statement of the death of the Master of the Report Office, which he had read in the papers, were correct, and if the vacant appointment had been, or was intended to be, filled up? The emoluments of this situation amounted to 4,589l. 11s. 10d. per annum, which sum was paid out of the Court of Chancery. According to a former declaration of the noble Lord, all offices, as they fell vacant, were to be subject to revision; and he took it for granted that this was to be the case in the present instance. He would venture to throw out a suggestion, that inquiry should be made how far it was necessary to fill up the office at all; and if necessary, at what reduced salary. It was of great importance that these points should be strictly attended to in all cases when appointments fell vacant. At present, when any situation fell vacant in the colonies, or in the array or navy, the first intimation the public generally had of it was the appointment of a successor. He should give notice of a motion for a future day, to the effect, that all offices in the colonies, or in the military or civil service, that might fall vacant after that date, should be subject to such revision as that House, or the heads of the departments to which they belonged, should deem expedient.