§ MR. BOWYERasked the hon. Gentleman the Secretary of the Treasury by what Act of Parliament, or other authority, or upon what ground, two pensions to Caroline Cort and Catherine Liddon, for £25 each per annum, had been reduced to £19 each per annum, being 25 percent, or £315 sterling, during the last 25 years?
§ MR. WILSONreplied that these pensions were originally granted at £25 6s. per annum, but they were subject to charges amounting to £6 6s. In the 2nd and 3rd year of the reign of William IV. it was enacted that in future pensions should be paid net; and when these pensions were renewed, at the commencement of the reign of Her present Majesty, they were granted at their net amount.
§ MR. ROEBUCKasked whether the original sums had been debited against the Civil List since these pensions were reduced?
§ MR. WILSONcould not answer that question.
§ MR. BOWYERasked the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he did not consider that when the Legislature provided that small pensions were to be paid without deductions it intended this to be for the benefit 1425 of the poor pensioners, and not to lead to a saving of the public funds?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that the hon. Gentleman was as capable of forming an opinion of the intention of the Legislature as he was. All the Government had to look to was the warrant by which the pensions were granted.
§ MR. ROEBUCKwished to know whether the State was debited with the full amount of these pensions. He wanted to find out whether anybody pocketed the difference.
§ MR. WILSONreplied that a considerable portion of this deduction went into the annual revenue of the country; some went as fees to the Exchequer officers. The civil list was debited with the exact amount paid, and no more.
§ MR. ROEBUCKasked what the fees were?
§ MR. WILSONpromised to make a return of these fees if the hon. Member would move for it.
§ MR. ROEBUCKsaid, he would move for the return on Monday next.