1818 Nov. 7

Parl Reform Bill

Reasons

§.12 Vacancies supplied

2

2. Sickness is almost the only case in which such an appointment can be necessary. But there exists not a moment of time in which it may not happen to this impediment to take place. No sooner does it take place, than To the individual himself it is sure to be known if any thing be known to him, and at that moment it is only a chance whether it be known to any one else. A known Deputy being constantly in existence, if when the hour strikes the Speaker is not in the Chair, it is for the Deputy to seat himself in it. For /And/ if not the appointed Deputy, there will by Art | | be at any rate the Clerk.

Question 4 Why not attach to the Office of the Speaker pecuniary emolument in any shape?

Answer

1. Because it is not necessary /emolument would be needless/. The quantity of emolument regarded as requisite to be attached to the function stands attached to it already. If for any such additional labour any demand happens to present itself, a deficiency on the part of the principal functionary being the cause of such demand, it is for him at his own charge to furnish the supply

2. Unless the Speaker be habitually or at least frequently unfit for duty, the quantity of time occupied in a Session by any one Deputy or by all the Deputies taken together for whose appointment there can have been a demand, will have been very /comparatively/ inconsiderable. With the exception of the recently attached /instituted/ salary attached to the Chairmanship of the Committee of the whole House in its character of the Committee of Ways and Means, Members sit for any length of time as Chairmen of Committees, and for those labours no pecuniary recompense is ever thought necessary.