§ COLONEL NORTHasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will take into his consideration the possibility of reducing the heavy fees now paid by the Military Knights of Windsor upon their appointment, and a similar fee upon their removal from the Lower Foundation to the Royal Foundation?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSIt is true, Sir, that the fees have hitherto been very excessive. A great number of forms and ceremonies have been gone through; and the fees payable by these poor persons have been £4 7s. 6d. on their original appointment, and £4 7s.6d. on their promotion to the Upper Foundation. This subject has been under the consideration of the Government for some time, and I am happy to state that an arrangement has now been come to by which the mode of appointment has been much simplified, and the fees will not amount to more than 30s. on the original appointment, and 30s. on promotion. Through the kindness of the present Chancellor of the Order and his Secretary they make no objection to this arrangement coming into force at once, during the lifetime of the persons entitled to those fees.