§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, he wished to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is intended by the Government that the payment of District Registrars appointed under the Probate Act (20 &c 21 Vict., c. 77) by fees shall be continued; or whether the Government will take into consideration the extent of services performed, and order payment for the same (under the 111th Section of the said Act) 2228 by salaries, and carry the fees to the Consolidated Fund account, and make a reduction of fees payable by the public?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the Government have already acted on the principle to which the question of my hon. Friend points. Some time ago a Minute of the Treasury placed these Officers upon salaries, under powers given to the Government by Act of Parliament, and requiring that after receiving their salaries they should account for the balance of fees to the public. But some of the Officers affected by that order made objection and appealed against it, which appeal is still under consideration. The principle, however, which my hon. Friend indicates has been adopted.