HC Deb 09 April 1891 vol 352 cc216-8

Order for Second Reading read.

THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (MR.JACKSON, LLEEDS,N.)

This is a one clause Bill. Owing to the death of lord Truro, it has become necessary to appoint somebody to discharge the duties performed by him under statue. It is proposed to transfer the duties to the Middlex Registry Department. The saving will be between 5,000. It is necessary that the bill should be passed without delay , and I hope the House will welcome the oppurtunity of effecting so substainal an economy.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the bill be now read a second time."

MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

will the right hon. Gentleman who is to get the job?

MR. JACKSON

No new officer will be appointed; there will simply be a transference of the duties which have been discharged by, or been under the care of, Lord Truro to an existing officer. [" Who is he?"] The Land Registrar, whoever he may be.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

That involves the consideration, what are the duties, and whether the Registrar is capable of discharging them?

MR. H. H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

I hope my hon. Friends will not persist in opposing this Bill. There are many reasons why the Bill should be passed with the least possible delay, if the House of Commons wishes to save this £5,000 a year. It is not intended to create any new office. At present there is only an assistant Registrar. He has no politics; he is a member of the Civil Service. This is really a question whether the House of Commons wishes to put an end to a sinecure with £5,000 a year.

MR. CHANCE (Kilkenny, S.)

Can the Assistant Registrar gain anything by change of status?

MR. JACKSON

Nothing whatever.

MR. S. T. EVANS (Glamorgan, Mid)

In whose favour will the economy be effected? The registry is one for the County of Middlesex alone, and I should like to know whether it is a fact that money obligations which rest on one county will be transferred to the country generally.

MR. JACKSON

The fees hitherto paid have gone into the pocket of Lord Truro. In future the fees will go into the Exchequer.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for to-morrow, at Two of the clock.