Mr. Blakewished to put a question to the noble Lord, the Secretary for the Colonies, relative to the appointment of masters in the Court of Exchequer. It was understood to be the intention of Government to abolish the equity side of the Court of Exchequer, and to give compensation to those who held employment there. He had been informed, however, that a vacancy had lately occurred in the court in question, and that it had since been filled up by the appointment of the hon. R. C. Scarlett. He wished to know whether that appointment had been made with the sanction of Government, and whether it was intended that Mr. Scarlett 1156 should also receive a compensation should his office be abolished?
§ Lord John Russellsaid, that with regard to the first question of the hon. Member, the Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer had the right, when a vacancy occurred, to fill it up without consulting her Majesty's Government. With regard to the bill now before Parliament, it was intended to transfer one of the masters of the Court of Exchequer, viz.; Mr. Richards, to the Court of Chancery, and to provide compensation for the others. It would be for the House, however, to determine when the bill came before it what course should be taken with respect to providing any compensation for the recently appointed master of the Exchequer.