§ MR. VERNON HARCOURTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, What Minister responsible to Parliament is answerable for the details of the Civil Service Estimates under the head of Law and Justice; and, whether Her Majesty's Government, before those Estimates are submitted to the House of Commons next year, will be prepared to revise the particulars of charge, with a view to the reduction of any expenditure which may be found unnecessary or excessive?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, in reply, that as the Question was not confined to that portion of the expense connected with Law and Justice which was presented in the form of Estimates annually, he presumed it had especial reference to that portion of those expenses which, although voted annually, was still under control other than that of the Treasury—namely, of high legal functionaries, according to Act of Parliament. That was a fit subject for investigation, and investigation having been recommended by the Committee upon Public Accounts, he had given directions accordingly, with a view to the carrying out of those recommendations.