HC Deb 04 July 1856 vol 143 cc337-8

Order for Third Reading read.

MR. HADFIELD

said, he wished to point out the necessity for consolidating the whole of the Church-Building Acts. At the same time he strongly objected to the compensation clause which the Bill contained. Originally the Commission was intended to continue only ten years, but the time had extended to thirty-eight years. Nevertheless, it could hardly be asserted that the parties who had served under the Commission received their appointments under the expectation that at the expiration of the Commission they would be entitled to compensation for life. He thought that if the Commission were to cease altogether, that would be the best thing that could happen.

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, he would admit that it was desirable that the numerous Church-Building Acts should be consolidated, but the present Bill could not operate to obstruct such consolidation.

Bill read 3deg;.

On the question that the Bill pass,

LORD ROBERT CECIL

said, he objected that certain payments which had formerly been made out of the Consolidated Fund would now be placed by the Bill on the annual Estimates in the shape of compensations. He should, therefore, move the omission of the words transferring those charges to the annual Estimates.

MR. HADFIELD

said, he thought it would be better to move the omission of the clause altogether.

MR. W. WILLIAMS

said, the way to perpetrate jobs was to get a Bill passed through the House at two o'clock in the morning, and to afford no time for the provisions inserted in the Bill to be overhauled. His view of the salaries in the Bill was, that such matters ought to come annually under the review of the House.

MR. SPOONER

said, he wished to know why the persons to be compensated were to have compensation, when they took their situations with the full knowledge that the places were to be only temporary?

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, the persons to be compensated had been servants of the Commission for a number of years, and it was, therefore, thought that long service entitled them to compensation. With regard to the salaries not being brought under annual revision, the reason was that they were never charged on the Consolidated Fund; and it was thought to be more in conformity with the established rule to transfer them to the Estimates.

Bill passed.