§ (8.) 6,576l. for paying salaries and expenses of the Department of Comptroller General of the Exchequer.
§ COLONEL SIBTHORPconsidered that this was one of the most gross jobs that ever was practised by any Government. By Lord Monteagle's appointment to the office of Comptroller General, the noble Lord got what he (Col. Sibthorp) called something comfortable to pop into. When the noble Lord was appointed, a notorious defalcation took place with regard to the Exchequer bills; and he (Col. Sibthorp) moved for the number of days the noble Lord was in his office, and where he was when he was not in his office. He thought he had done some good; for since he had moved for those annual returns the noble Lord was to be found more in his office, and they should have more returns, they might depend upon it. He had made the noble Lord work for his pay. They had there a sum of 6,576l. put down, but the salary of the Comptroller General was charged upon the Consolidated Fund. He wished it was charged in that vote, for if it were he would take the sense of the House on a Motion that it be struck off forthwith. The expense of that office was, in fact, 8,576l., and the whole of the business might be performed by the Bank of England much more satisfactorily, and with more security, than at the present board. He would not object to give 500l. a year to the assistant comptroller if he could knock off the salary of the Comptroller General.
§ MR. HUMEthought the hon. and gallant Member might with great propriety have struck off the assistant comptroller. [Colonel SIBTHORP: Oh, no, he is the better man of the two.] They could not remove the Comptroller, for the appointment was under Act of Parliament; but he considered that evils arose from the appointment of the assistant comptroller. By that means it had been made a sinecure office, and there should be no office now where duties were not done. There was a chief clerk at 900l. a year, and an accountant at 550l., and a considerable number of others. There were also the officers of weights and measures, and he did not see what duties they had to perform. He would suggest to the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer that considerable alterations and improve- 408 ments might be made with respect to them.
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERwas understood to say the subject was under consideration.
§ Vote agreed to; as was also Vote (9.), for 2,700l. for salaries and expenses in the State Paper Office.