Lords Sitting of 9 February 1832

MINUTES.
Bill Read a third time; Court of Session (Scotland).

SALARY OF THE LORD CHANCELLOR.
Lord Ellenboroughsaid, their Lordships would, no doubt, recollect that last Session a Bill passed for altering the Administration of the Laws in Bankruptcy. Their Lordships were given to understand, when the Bill was under their consideration, that due care would be taken to make an adequate provision for all those interests which might be injuriously affected by its operation, and that a prompt and speedy provision should be made for the office of Lord Chancellor, the emoluments of which were, by that Bill, much curtailed. It was fit that a provision should be made for the proper support and dignity of that great office. Whatever convenience there might be in such provision taking its rise in the other House of Parliament, he was satisfied that their Lordships would not have passed the Bill which diminished the emoluments of that office, unless from an express understanding that a measure should be brought in under the direction of his Majesty's Ministers, to provide a fit and proper salary for the first law officer of the country. After the other House of Parliament had approved of the Bill, a compensation had been provided for all the persons concerned, except the Lord Chancellor,
100
and he had understood that the Lord Chancellor had waived all consideration of salary. He adverted to the subject without any communication with the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack, or with his Majesty's Ministers; at the same time he thought it would be more fit and more agreeable to the noble and learned person chiefly interested, if the observations on the subject should proceed from that side of the House. It was his earnest wish that no time should be lost in making a fit and proper provision for the Lord High Chancellor in order to enable him to support that state, which as the first law officer of the realm, he was bound to keep up. It was due to the proper administration of justice, and the dignity of the office, that no time should be lost in effecting that object by parliamentary enactment.
The Lord Chancellorwas quite sure that the noble Baron had made his observations with the best personal intentions towards the humble individual who now had the honour to hold the Great Seal, and with the best public wishes towards the dignity of the office. The statement of the noble Baron was correct as far as regarded himself, for it was his wish to promote by all the means in his power the passing of the Bill mentioned at the close of last Session. The subject referred to, however, was one that none of his colleagues had ever broached to him, and he would be no party to originate any arrangement concerning it. He knew that nothing whatever had been done, and it was his full determination to take no part in any discussions on the subject, and to have no communication on it with any person whatever.