§ SIR GEORGE PECHELLsaid, he felt himself called upon to condemn the practice of allowing officers in the Navy freight-money for bringing bullion from South America; and as a preliminary to an alteration of the present system, he would beg to move for a Return of the several sums of Freight Money received by the Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital since the 17th day of February, 1851, with the date of such payments, and whether on public or private account; also the name of the ship or vessel in which the treasure was conveyed, and of the captain or officer commanding the same.
MR. STAFFORDsaid, that the proposition of the hon. and gallant Member was one that would go to diminish the emoluments of the naval service. The hon. and gallant Member's plan, he understood, was to the effect that the senior officers should be passed over, and a portion of the freight given to their juniors in the service. This, he believed, would have the effect of taking away a source of ambition from the senior officers. The present system worked, on the whole, well; and he might state that the present Government had not received a single complaint as to the freight since they came into office. He would not, however, withhold the Return which the hon. and gallant Member asked for; but he thought it would be more satisfactory that he should bring forward some substantive Motion on the subject, than merely asking for Returns which could lead to nothing.
§ Motion agreed to.