§ The Solicitor General moved, that the House do resolve itself into a Committee, to consider of compensation to officers in the Court of Chancery in Ireland, for losses they may sustain by the Bill for the Amendment of the practice of that Court.
§ Mr. Humethought, that the course proposed to be pursued by the hon. and learned Gentleman was truly an Irish way of doing business. They ere called upon to go into a Committee that night, and to-morrow they were to receive the information upon which the Motion for that Committee was founded. He would, however, prefer a more simple, and, at the same time, a more regular course. As the question now stood, he felt that they 348 had not sufficient information upon which to act. The hon. and learned Gentleman ought to be prepared to lay before the House the loss sustained by each individual to whom compensation was proposed to be given. This, however, the hon. and learned Gentleman had not attempted to do, and therefore he (Mr. Hume) must oppose the Motion for going into a Committee.
§ Mr. O'Reillywas anxious to support the Motion, as he considered it preliminary to a Reform in the Irish Court of Chancery.
Mr. O'Connellthought the measure highly useful, and one which did not admit of delay. The alterations now in contemplation, would have the effect of making Chancery suits both expeditious and cheap—two great points most desirable to be attained.
Mr. Francis Baringsaid, the plan proposed was, that there should be submitted to the Lords of the Treasury, the amount of compensation considered to be due to each individual, and that they should be at liberty to deal with each case as they thought fit and just.
§ Mr. Feargus O'Connorwas opposed to any measure having for its object the granting of compensation in cases of this description. The true supporters of Reform were bound to oppose all unnecessary expenditure, and upon that ground he would oppose the Motion.
§ Mr. Lynchsaid, the question for their consideration was, whether any compensation ought to be given, and if so, what the amount of it ought to be in each case. That some compensation ought to be given where injury was suffered, was a point upon which he thought very few hon. Members would entertain a difference of opinion.
§ Mr. Humesaid, he understood that six officers in that Court had given 43,000l. for their offices, and therefore it was to be presumed, that those offices were of a highly lucrative description, and that they had been no losers by their bargains.
§ The House went into a Committee, and Resolutions for granting compensation to certain officers of the Irish Court of Chancery (to be charged on the Consolidated Fund) were agreed to.
§ The House resumed.