§ 54. Mr. KINGasked whether the Secretary to the Treasury will state for the last financial year the amount of fees received in connection with the promotion of Private Bill legislation and the passing of such legislation through Parliament; under what head of Treasury receipts is this source of revenue included; and whether the fees are so fixed as to produce revenue 1620 or are only intended to cover the expenses of the Private Bill Office?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe amount received was as follows: House of Lords, £22,680; House of Commons, £18,822 10s. Subject to certain deductions for pensions in the case of the House of Lords, fees are appropriated in aid of the Votes for the House of Lords and House of Commons offices, respectively, as shown on the Estimates. I believe the fees were fixed to cover a due proportion of the total cost of the Houses of Parliament.
§ Mr. KINGAm I right in supposing that every time a private Bill is objected to a fee is payable for putting it down again, and that therefore hon. Members in objecting to private Bills are increasing the revenue of the country?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt goes to the credit of the country.