Star.
London, England, 1816-03-27 00:00:00

Re&DING CLZRIG

The LORD CHANCELLOR read a letter from
Mr. Rose, thr Clerk (.1 the Parliaments, announcing
that the state of health of Mr. William Stewart Rose,
the Reading Clerk, was such, that there was no pro-
bability of his being able to attend the House, and
pmposing that Mr. Birch should be allowed to of
in. his stead, whom he stated to be well quali-
fied for the duties of the situation, having attended
the House in that capacity for two Sessions on a for-
mer occasion. His LoNtship said he had no recol-
lation of the merits of Mr Birch, but be thought it
0- imp( stance that he should only be appointed to,
during the pleasure of the House, and that
I:e should not be removed from the situation without
the pleasure of the House, and• he moved to that,
effect, after speaking very highly of the services of
Mr. Cowper, and mentioning the necessity there was!
that that Gentleman should have efficient assistince,l
and also warmly praising.the conduct of Mr. Currie,
who had officiated as Reading Clerk.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE did not mean to,
Oppose the motion, but thought it right some inquiry
should take place, as it seemed at present to be in the
power of the Clerk of the Parliaments (a Member of
the other House) to substitute any person he pleased
as Reading Clerk at the Table. He intended, then.

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fore, some day, prnbably.nezcweek, to move for a
Committee noon this subject.
Lord REDESDALE suggested the necessity of
there being additional assistance provided at the
table.
Lord HOLLAND observed, that If additional
assistance were necessary. he trusted the Clerk of the
Parliaments would provide it, , without any charge
upon the public.
The Earl LAUDERDALE said, the Patent
to the Clerk of the .Parliaments ran, thit he should
either attend in person or provide a sufficient Deputy
Deputies; hut rather than interfere with vested'
rights, if a different construction was put upon the
patent, he thought the expense of whatever addi-
tional assistance should be considered necessary must
ba borne by the public, as lie could not admit the
country to be so reduced as to be unable to pay for
necessary assistance in the conducting of business of
So much importance.—The motion was agreed to.
Adjourned till to-morrow (this day).
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The Report.of the Committee upon the subject of Weights
and Mea%ures was ordered to be brought up to-morrow.
Mr. CROKER moved for leave to bring in a Bill, for the
purpose of transferring the duties of the Transport Office to the
Navy and Victualling Offices. The object of this measure, the
Honourable trentleman stated to be economic regulation, and
the transfer of certain legal rights which belonged to the Tran-
sport Office, to those offices, by which Its duties were hereafter
to be perforrntxl.
In consequence of a question from Mr. Wert. es m,
Mr CROKLIt chserved, that the duty of the Transport Ser-
vice was to be transferred to the Navy Office, and that of the
Sick and Hurt to the Victualling Office ; that a medical attend:
ant would therefore be rppuitited for the latter department; and
that especial cue would be taken to provide for the accommoda-
tion of all naval lunatics, whose case would out fail to be duly
cunddered.—Leave was given ta bring its the Bill.
The Pancras Church Bill was read a second time, and cons-
', Inked to a Select Committee.

Mr. M. PITT presented a Petition front certain Land Owners
and Occupiers in Uorbetshire, stating the severity of the agricul-
tural distress, and praying for the considers ion of the
Referred to the Committee upon that subject.
Mr. BENNE 1' gave notice of a Motion for the
Sd of April, with respect to the Police of the Metro.
polis.
Mr. BRAND presented a Petition from certain
persons in Hertfordshire, complaininq of the Agri-
cultural Distress.—Referred to the Committee upon
that subject.
Mr. BROGDEN brought up the Report of the
Cawmittee of Supply.—The resolutions were agreed
to, and I.lllls ordered accordingly.
Mr. LUSHINGTON presentei, pursuant to or-
der, a copy of the E.timates of the Lord Steward of
the Household.