Star.
London, England, 1822-03-30 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

ROUSE OF LORDS, MARCH 2s.
Their Lordships :net at ten o'clock, to hear Appeals.
Al‘Krazta, Appellant; M.Kapatz, Respondent.
This was an appeal from the Court of Session (Scotland).—The
Arronarr-Gatiatua. and Mr. WIWI' ERYLL were heard for the
appellant ; and Mr. SUGDIN for the respondent.—Further argu-
ment postponed.
Mr. STUART WORTLEY, Lord Lowenzu. and others, brought up
three Local Bills from the Commons,which were read a first time.
Lord KENYON moved that the Committee appointed for
inquiring into the mode of collecting Church Briefs should be
allowed to report from time to time.—Ordered.
The Earl of LIMERICK gave notice that, on Monday, he
should move the second reading of Doyle's Divorce Bill.
STATIONERY OFFICE IN IRELAND.

Earl DA RN LEY observed, that he had last year called the
attention of their Lordships to the extravagant charges that had
been nude for stationery supplied to the Government Offices in
Ireland; and, he wished now to know whether any steps had
been taken to put a stop to that abuse?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, he was ready to state that
the Government had ordered an investigation to take place into
this business, and that a Report should be made as soon as it
was practicable; but some interruption had taken place in con-
sequence of the late change of government in Ireland. An in-
quiry was first entered into with a view of ascertaining whether
any corruption had been practised ; and the result of it was,
that the parties against whom the imputation had been made
were acquitted of any charge of that nature. The next object
was to find out whether exorbitant charges had been made for
stationery, and the Government were now proceeding with that
inquiry ; and when it was concluded be should have no objec-
tion to lay the whole correspondeart on the subject before
the House.
The Earl of DA RNI.EY replied that he was ready to acquit
the parties against whom the imputation had been made of every
thing like corruption, but at the same time he believed the Pub-
lic had suffered very materially by exorbitant charges. A patent
had been granted to a person to supply stationery to the Public
Offices. Such a patent was likely to lead to great abuse, and be
hoped the pending investigation would end in the abofitiun of
that patent ; for he saw no reason why one individual should
pocket a large sum of money to the injury of the Public. If this
was not done he should take another opportunity of calling the
attention of the House to the subject.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, he expected that the in-
quiry would•be terminated in a short time, and *es the result
should be laid before the House.
BOARD OF ADMIRALTY.

Lord MELVILLE moved the second reading of the Bill for
enabling two Lords of the Admiralty to be a quorum.
The Earl of DARNLEY said, he wished the Noble Vis-
count would explain the statement be had made on the pre-
ceding day, that the reduction of two Lords of the Admiralty
would cause no diminution in, but, on the contrary, add to the
public burdens.
Lord MELVILLE said, he should most readily satisfy the
Noble Earl. In the first place, he should begin by stating what
had already happened. About two months ago he himself went
to visit sonic of the Dock-yards, in order to see how the busi-
ness bad been conducted there. He found that the expenses of
those establishments were carried on upon a larger seals than
was necessary, and consequently he was impressed with a con.
viction that a considerable saving might be made in the ex-
penses. It was therefore determined that two Members of the'
Board should be sent down to examine into the means by which
the expenses might be reduced. In that case only four could
have remained to transact the ordinary business; but since then
two of the Members were reduced, and therefore the proposed
examination could not be entered into, because there were only
two more Members to attend at the Board. They were, there-
fore, obliged to postpone the proposed investigation to a longer
period. had that investigation been carried on, it would by
this time have produced a saving of XlO,OOO. So far the Public
s2stained a loss. Then, if any accident should take away one.
of the Lords from the Board, the public business must be de-
layed, and considerable loss might thereby be occasioned to the
Public. If any circumstance in the Dock-yards should call away
two of the Commissioners, there must also be a delay of the
public business ; and a delay even of a few days would cause a
considerable expense to be incurred. During a time of peace
nine-tenths of the business was of that description which could
be better performed by landsmen than by professional men, as
the latter, from their habits of life, were less qualified to attend
to business on land; and it would be necessary that two of those
should attend at the office, otherwise considerable delays might
tale place. These facts he stated•from his own experience, and
he hoped the House would give him credit for than.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL declared it as his opinion that
the abolition of two members from the Board was neither ex-
pedient nor beneficial to the public service. He bad conversed
with several members cf the Admiralty Beard, and every one
of them was of opinion that if there were only five Commis-
sioners, the majority of them ought not to be seamen.
Lord HOLLA N 1) trusted that he would not be chargedwith
anything uncivil when he observed, that such declaration as he
had heard were not to be altogether relied on. On a form
occasion the Noble Lord had declared that the Government
could not be carried on, but must be broken up, if reduction'
took place.. The Noble Lord, like the ancient Roman, might
now weep and groan over his lost colleague.—gewslimpipsdi Re.
Mani, tec. but all his wailings and elegies would not bring him
to)lfe again.
The Earl of HARROWBY was convinced that eonakkrable,'
inconvenience must result from the reduction in question ; and
he was sure that that was the opinion of a large inaineity of the
people of the country. He was confident that of man reduc-
tions in offices and salaries, which had taken place, tile cease.
sequence would be, that of the public business being isesiscesd
and great additional expense incurred. The reduedeas
made because Government wished so conciliate public opinion,
but no saving would remit from them.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, he never stated that the
Government could not go on if certain offices were abolished.
He was not apt to give his opinion in these matters, unless he
saw his way dearly through them--(A loud laugh).
Lord DARNLEY. erased great, satisfaction at finding that
reduction.' were intended to be made in she Dock-yards ; and
Loped they wesdd be carried into effect, notwithstanding the re-
• . duction in question.
Lord MELVILLE said, he could not go to make inspee-
tient* In the Dock-yards, without one of the Naval Commie-
*toilers accompanying him • and the Board could not be left
without less than two of ;hese Commissioners. His Lordship