HC Deb 12 April 1861 vol 162 cc540-1

House in Committee; Mr. in the Chair.

(In the Committee.)

(1.) £161,157 (Admiralty Office).

MR. W. WILLIAMS

complained of the crease which had taken place in the establishment of clerks in all the departments of the Admiralty, and which involved a proportionate increase of expense. He observed that the additional salaries amounted to upwards of £8,000 per annum. Seeing that the number of men had been reduced by 7,000, he thought that the staff of clerks at the Admiralty should have undergone a corresponding reduction.

LORD CLARENCE PAGET

stated, that during the last two years there had been a large increase in the number of temporary clerks. The fact was, however, that the duties of these clerks were of a permanent character, and the apparent increase in the Vote this year was due to the circumstance that a number of temporary clerks had been placed on the permanent staff. There had been a reduction of expense upon the whole.

Vote agreed to, as were the following Votes:—

(2.) £253,422, Coast Volunteeers and Reserve.

(3.) £63,851, Scientific Departments.

(4.) £172,947, Naval Establishments at Home.

(5.) £33,640, Naval Establishments Abroad.

(6.) £1,112,126, Wages to Artificers, &c. at Home.

(7.) £67,828, Wages to Artificers, &c. Abroad.

(8.) £66,000, Medicines and Medical Stores.

(9.) £90,510, Naval Miscellaneous Services.

(10.) £684,016 Half Pay, &c.

MR. W. WILLIAMS

said, this sufficiently accounted for the extravagance in the other Estimates. There were 305 Admirals, of whom 74 only were employed; 784 Captains, of whom only 132 were employed; and 1109 Commanders, of whom only 209 were employed. The French kept their list of officers down to the real wants of the service.

LORD CLARENCE PAGET

said, it was the great complaint in the French service that the number of officers on the list were too few and not adapted for a state of war. He admitted ours was too large; but time was thinning the list, and he supposed his hon. Friend did not wish to take any violent steps to quicken the process.

Vote agreed to, as were also the following Votes:—

(11.) £486,431), Military Pensions and Allowances.

(12.) £180,397, Civil Pensions and Allowances.

(13.) £247,000, Freight of Ships, &c. House resumed.

Resolutions to be reported on Mo day next.

Committee to sit again on Monday next.

House adjourned at Nine o'clock, till Monday next.