§ MR. WILSONsaid, he would now move for leave to bring in a Bill to regulate certain offices of the House of Commons. The object of the proposed Bill was—first, to vest in the Crown for the future the appointment of the Assistant and second Assistant Clerk at the table, instead of having the appointment of those officers vested in the First Clerk, as at present; and secondly, to repeal that clause of the Act which provided that the salary of the second Assistant Clerk should be charged 259 on the Consolidated Fund. It was intended to appoint the Assistant Clerks on the statement of the Speaker as to their being fit persons for the office. An appointment of Assistant Clerk had already been made in that way; and he (Mr. Wilson) was sure the House would agree with him that there could not have been a better selection. They proposed to include the salary of the second Assistant Clerk in the annual Votes—an arrangement to which that officer had no objection.
§ Leave given.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. WILSON and Viscount PALMERSTON.
§ Bill read 1°.