§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, that in consequence of the omission of the words "Consolidated Fund" in the Reform Act, the Treasury, though directed to pay the Registering Barristers, had been unable to do so, without a specific vote. The Barristers had borne their expenses out of their own pockets, and those, as well as the stipulated allowances, ought, without delay, to be discharged; he, therefore, asked the House to resolve itself into a Committee of Supply for the purpose of agreeing to a Resolution to that effect.
The House in Committee.
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, that the accounts of the Barristers had been very carefully gone through, and they all accorded with a certain scale of fees and expenses which the Treasury had established after due consideration. He moved "That 30,500l. be granted to his Majesty to pay the allowances and expenses of barristers employed to review the lists of voters under the Reform Act."
In answer to a question from Mr. Roebuck.
§ Mr. Spring Riceadded, that the charges of some few of the barristers exceeded those which the Treasury had thought it right to fix as the maximum, and that the accounts of other barristers were below it; the first had been reduced, but of course it had not been deemed necessary to raise the last.
§ The Solicitor Generalwas of opinion that only a reasonable compensation had been given.
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, that in no case more than a guinea per day for expenses, and 2s. per mile for travelling, had been allowed.
§ Mr. Sheilwished to know if the Irish barristers employed in the same way had not been paid less; viz. five guineas per day for their allowance, and one guinea per day for expenses, including travelling?
§ Mr. Spring Riceobserved, that the expense of registering in Ireland had been 12,000l., which was more in proportion than for the rest of the kingdom.
§ Mr. Humewished to know whether any arrangement had been made for the future? He thought that each place or 699 district ought to pay its own expenses of registration.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that, as the payment was generally out of the taxes, all parts of the kingdom paid a just proportion.
§ The Solicitor Generalapprehended that the expense would be considerably less the next time the aid of the barristers was required.
§ Resolution agreed to, the House resumed.