§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTONasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether, during the inquiry of a Treasury Committee into the circumstances connected with the publication of the Bills of Entry, a statement of liabilities was laid before them, including a charge for superannuation of two clerks who had formerly been employed; and, whether a Memorial has been addressed to the Lords of the Treasury by the Directors of the Customs Annuity and Benevolent Fund, praying that, the business of the Bill of Entry Office with its profits having been taken out of their hands and being now carried on by the Commissioners of Customs on behalf of the Crown, the pensions of these two superannuated clerks might continue to be paid out of the profits of the undertaking; and, if so, what reply has been made to the Memorial?
§ MR. J. HOLMSYes, Sir; those pensions were included in the statement of liabilities submitted by the Directors of the Customs Annuity and Benevolent Fund in August last. As to the second 1084 part of the Question, the reply made to the Memorial referred to was to the effect that the Bill of Entry Patent, having expired by the lapse of time and the Government having determined not to renew it, they saw no reason for assuming the charge of these two pensions, which are a natural part of the liabilities of the Customs Annuity and Benevolent Fund.