§ Mr. Humesaid, that he wished to obtain certain Returns relating to Colonels of regiments, in order to show that many of them derived very considerable advantages from their appointments, advantages which, in his opinion, exceeded the limit of propriety. Many of the offices they held were almost sinecures, and perhaps if the duty of clothing their regiments was excepted, were perfect sinecures. He could not think, that such a system was advantageous, or that it ought to be persevered in. He would move for a Return of the name and rank of every Colonel now commanding a regiment, stating the date of each commission in the army, the date of his first appointment to the command of that or any other regiment, the rank held at the time of such first appointment to a regiment, the number of years on foreign service with his regiment, or on the staff at the time of such first appointment to a regiment, distinguishing each period of service; also, whether he holds any other and what civil or military office or appointment, the date of each such appointment, and stating the pay of his rank, the salary, pay, and emoluments derived from each office or appointment, and from the regiment he commands, so as to exhibit the annual sum derived from the public. When these Returns were laid on the Table, the House would be able to see what were the pensions and sinecures enjoyed by some of these Gentlemen, and would have an opportunity of comparing those advantages with their services, and of ascertaining whether these revenues and pensions had always been conferred as the reward of merit. The House had been, for several years past, voting large sums of the public money under false pretences. He did not wish to criminate individuals, or allude to particular cases; but, as it was clear that the Executive Government either would not or could not controul these improper appointments, it therefore was the business of the House to interfere, and stop the remunerations, if it could not prevent the promotions. He was 1152 sure, that when the Returns were laid upon the Table, the House would be convinced, that high honours and considerable emoluments were bestowed, but not as rewards for meritorious services.
§ Sir John Hobhousehad no objection to the Return, part of which, indeed, the hon. Member might find if he looked into the Army List. There were some parts of the Return now asked for, which it might be difficult to obtain, but which he would endeavour to procure, though to do so he must make a personal, rather than an official application to the individuals themselves.
§ Mr. Humesaid, that with regard to the Army List, though he might procure there some of the information he wanted, he did not know that he was entitled to speak upon the authority of any information except on that officially communicated.
§ Mr. Robinsonsaid, that he should wish Returns of Naval Appointments to be granted, for he should then be able to show that some of these appointments which the right hon. Secretary opposite had stated would amount to but 4,500l., did, in fact, reach the amount of 6,700l. a-year.
§ Sir James Grahamsaid, that the advantages enjoyed by the officers of the Navy, to whom the hon. Member alluded, did not equal those possessed by officers of the same rank in the army, and it was in some degree, to equalize them, that these appointments had been granted.
Returns ordered.