§ MR. CALEB WRIGHT (Lancashire. S.W., Leigh)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the sum of £630 14s. 2d., named in the Report of the Select Committee on Perpetual Pensions as annual rents paid to the Duchy of Cornwall, is provided for in this year's Consolidated Fund; and, whether he can inform the House who is responsible for disregarding the Treasury Minute of 1839, which directed this payment to cease on the 15th of April, 1841?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I do not find the post groats payment is mentioned in the Report of the Perpetual Pensions Committee. The sum of £630 14s. 2d. is paid as it falls due out of the Cosolidated Fund, in accordance with 1 & 2) Vict. c. 12O. The Board of Treasury are responsible for neglecting to observe what I must contend were the illegal directions of their Predecessors.
§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that, by Treasury Minute, payment of the sum was expressly directed to cease in April, 1841, and whether Sir Reginald Welby had not stated before the Committee on Perpetual Pensions that the Treasury had 80 no authority to pay the sum since that date.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHYes, Sir; that is accurate. If I may say so, the Minute was passed without legal authority, and the Act of Parliament is absolutely binding. That is a contention as to which I believe there is no doubt whatever.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHgave Notice that he would call attention to the whole subject early next Session.