Consolidated Fund Act 1816

1816 CHAPTER 98

An Act to unite and consolidate into One Fund, all the Public Revenues of Great Britain and Ireland; and to provide for the Application thereof to the General Service of the United Kingdom.

[1st July 1816]

WHEREAS It hath become expedient, for further carrying into effect the Provisions and Purposes of Two several Acts for the Union of Great Britain and Ireland (the One made in the Parliament of Great Britain in the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Years of His present Majesty's Reign, and the other made in the Parliament of Ireland in the Fortieth Year of His said Majesty's Reign) that all the public Revenues of Great Britain and Ireland mould be consolidated and applied to the Service of the United Kingdom ;

be it therefore enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same,

Consolidated Funds of Great Britain and Ireland, shall become One General, Consolidated Fund.

That from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, all Rates, Duties, Taxes, Receipts, Sums of Money, and Revenues, of what Nature or Kind foever, which, under or by virtue of any Act or Ads in force in Great Britain or Ireland respectively at the Time of the passing of this Act, and immediately before the said Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, shall or may constitute or form part of, or be directed to be carried to the several Funds, called the Consolidated Fund of Great Britain and the Consolidated Fund of Ireland respectively shall be carried to, and shall be and become, and shall form and constitute One General Fund, to be called the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and that, the said Consolidated Fund of the United kingdom or Great Britain and Ireland, whether the same or any Part thereof shall be in the Exchequer of Great Britain or in the Exchequer of chargeable with, and shall from Time to Time be applied indiscriminately to the Payment of the Whole of the Interest of the National Debts of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Sinking Funds applicable to the Reduction thereof, as One joint Consolidated National Debt, Interest, and Sinking Fund ; and in the next Place, the said Consolidated Fund of the said United Kingdom shall in like Manner be charged and chargeable with, and shall be applied to the Payment of the Salaries and other Charges of His Majesty's Civil Lift Establishments in Great Britain and Ireland; and in the next Place, the said Consolidated Fund of the said United Kingdom shall be in like Manner charged and chargeable with, and shall be applied in Payment of all other Charges whatsoever, made payable out of the Consolidated Funds of Great Britain Ireland respectively, under or by virtue of any Act or Acts in force immediately before the said Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, and after Payment and Satisfaction of all the aforesaid Charges, the said Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom shall be in like Manner indiscriminately applied to the Service of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or any Part thereof, as shall be directed by Parliament, and shall be issued and applied accordingly, in Manner and under the Authority herein-after mentioned and directed.

II Offices of Treasurer of Great Britain and Ireland united and may be executed by Commissioners. Officers of the Revenue subject to the Orders of the Treasury.

And be it farther enacted, That from and after the Fifth Day "of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, the Offices of Lord High Treasurer of Great Britain and Lord High Treasurer of Ireland shall be united into One-Office, and the Person holding the same shall be called Lord High Treasurer of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and that whenever there shall not be any such Lord High Treasurer, it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, to appoint Commissioners for executing the Offices of Treasurer of the Exchequer of Great Britain and Lord High Treasurer of Ireland-, and that such Commissioners shall be called Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and that the said Commissioners shall have all such Powers and Authorities in and through the Whole of the said United Kingdom, with respect to the Collection, Issuing, and Application of the whole Revenues of the United Kingdom, as at the Time of the passing of this Act, and immediately before the said Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, are or shall or may be veiled in the Commissioners of the Treasury in Great Britain or Ireland reflectively, by any Act or Acts of Parliament, or by any Law, Usage, or Custom in force in Great Britain or Ireland respectively ; by whatever Names or Descriptions such Commissioners of the Treasury shall or may have been at any Time known or described ; save and except in so far as any such Powers or Authorities may be altered or amended by this Act; and that all Officers and other Persons concerned or employed in the Collection or Management of the Revenues in and through every Part of the United Kingdom, shall be in all Respects subject to the Orders and Controul of the said Lord High Treasurer or the laid Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ; and shall be liable to all such Penalties and Punishments for Disobedience of such. Orders, as they are or would be subject or liable to, under and by virtue of any Acts, Laws, Usages, or Customs, with respect to the Powers of the Commissioners of the Treasury, in force in Great Britain and Ireland respectively at the Time of the passing of this Act and immediately before the said Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen.

III The Words Commissioners of Treasury, &c. to apply to Commissioners for executing the Offices of Treasurer of the Exchequer of Great Britain and Treasurer of Ireland.

And be it further evaded, That whenever in this Act, or in any Act to be made at any Time after the passing of this Act, the Words " Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury," or the Words " Commissioners of His Majesty's 'Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland," are or, shall be used, the same shall be construed to extend and apply to the Commissioners for executing the Offices of Treasurer of the Exchequer of Great Britain and Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, whenever such commission, shall be in force; and that all and every Act and Acts which at any time shall or may have been done or executed, or shall or may be done or executed by the commissioners of His majesty's Treasury in Great Britain or Ireland, or the United Kingdom respectively, under or by virtue or Authority of any law, Statute, Usage or Custom, in force before the passing of this Act, shall be good, Valid, and effectual to all Intents and Purposes, notwithstanding any Error or Omission in the Names or Descriptions where by any such Commissioners of the Treasury shall or may have been at any Time known, or named, or described.

IV A Vice Treasurer appointed.

And be it; further enacted, That for the Purposes of issuing out of the Exchequer of Ireland all Sums which shall be paid into the same, under or by virtue of the several Acts, which now are or hereafter may be in force in Ireland for that Purpose, or which shall be paid into the same out of the General Revenue of the United Kingdom, under the Orders of the Commissioners of His Majesty's. Treasury of the United Kingdom Great Britain and Ireland,) it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, from Time to Time, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Ireland, to appoint a Vice Treasurer for Ireland, with a yearly Salary not exceeding Twp thousand Pounds British Sterling a Year, to be paid to such Person for the executing of the said Office, payable out of the Revenue appropriated to His Majesty's Civil Lift Establishment in Ireland.

V Vice Treasurer to take Oath before the Chancellor of Ireland. Vice Treasurer empowered to appoint a Deputy. Payment for the Annual Establishment and Expences of the Office.

And be it further enacted, That such Vice Treasurer for Ireland Co be appointed in Manner aforesaid shall take such Oath before the Lord High Chancellor of Ireland, or before the Commissioners for the custody of the Great Seal of Ireland, as was accustomed to be taken, by the Vice Treasurer of Ireland, before the passing of an Act made in the Parliament of Ireland, in the Thirty-fifth Year of His present Majesty's Reign, intituled An Act for the better Regulation of the Receipts and Issues of His Majesty's Treasury; and for repealing an Act of Parliament passed in the Tenth Year of Henry the Seventh, intituled ' An Act authorizing the Treasurer to make all Officers as the Treasurer of England doth;' and that it shall and may be lawful for such Vice Treasurer for Ireland to appoint any Person to be his Deputy to act during his Absence or Incapacity from Sickness; and that all AGs done by such Deputy shall be as good and valid to all Intents and Purposes as if they were done by such Vice Treasurer in his own proper Person ; and that such Vice Treasurer shall be answerable and responsible for all Acts done by such Deputy in the Execution of the Duty of his Office; and that it shall be lawful for the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland from Time to Time, by his or their Warrant to the said Vice Treasurer, to order the Issue and Payment Out of the said Exchequer of any such Sum or Sums of Money for the annual Establishment and incidental and contingent Expences attendant upon the said Office of Vice Treasurer, as the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland shall from Time to Time order and direct.

VI Money shall be, Issued out of the Treasury of Ireland on the Warrant of the Lord Lieutenant, countersigned by the Vice Treasurer. Authority for such Payments.

And be it further enacted, That from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, no Money shall be issued out of the Receipt of the Exchequer of Ireland, otherwise than by the Vice Treasurer for Ireland, under the Authority of the Lord Lieutenant, or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland, in Manner hereinafter mentioned; and that the said Vice Treasurer shall not issue, nor cause to be issued, out of the said Receipt of the Exchequer of Ireland, any Sum or Sums of Money whatsoever (except as herein-after mentioned) until such Vice Treasurer shall have received a Warrant, under the Hand of such Lord Lieutenant, or other Chief Governor or Governors, directed to the said Vice Treasurer for that Purpose; and that the said Vice Treasurer shall countersign all such Warrants of such Lord Lieutenant, or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland and that after such Counter Signature upon such Warrant, such Warrant shall be entered and marked by any Officer or Person thereto authorized by the said Vice Treasurer, and whereof Notice shall be given by the said Vice Treasurer to the Auditor General of the said Exchequer; and such Warrant, for being duly entered and marked, shall be a sufficient Authority to the said Auditor General of His Majesty's Exchequer of Ireland, for the Issue by the said Auditor General of his Order for Payment on the Teller of the said Exchequer : Provided always, that there shall be a sufficient Authority for all such Payments under some Grant from His Majesty, or some of His Royal Predecessors, or under some Act or Acts of Parliament in that Behalf, and not otherwise; and that all such Payments shall not exceed the Amount authorized under the respective Acts by virtue of which such Issues shall be made, or the annual Grants of Parliament, as the same shall be specified in the Appropriation Acts of each Session.

VII Warrants prior to Jan. 5, 1817, to be paid.

Provided always, and be it enacted, That all Warrants which shall have been signed by the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, bearing Date on or before Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, and which mall then remain in the Office of the Auditor General of the Exchequer, un-satisfied and unpaid, or partly unsatisfied or unpaid, shall be good, full, and sufficient Authority to the said Auditor General for the Issue of his Order to the Teller of the Exchequer for Payment, until the full Amount of such Warrants be satisfied and paid; any Thing herein-before contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

VIII Issues for Ireland to be recorded in the Exchequer of Great Britain.

And, in order that no Annual Grants of Parliament may be exceeded, be it further enacted, That all Grants under the Great or Privy Seal or Sign Manual of His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors, King's Letters or King's Warrants, directing the Issue of any Money for Services in Ireland 6ut of such Annual Grants, shall be entered and recorded in the Office of the Auditor of the Exchequer in Great Britain, who shall cause the Entry thereof to be certified thereon, and the same to be forthwith returned to- the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in order to their being transmitted to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

IX Issues may be made from the Exchequers in Great Britain and Ireland, for Payment of Interest and Sinking Fund of National Debt, &c. without waiting for Quarterly Accounts.

And whereas, great Inconvenience would arise to the. Public Service if the I flues from the Exchequer in either Part of the United Kingdom, for the Payment of Interest and Sinking Fund of the National Debt, and of such Charges as, according to the Practice heretofore prevailing in the said Exchequers respectively, have usually been paid, immediately before or after the Close of every Quarter, were delayed until the respective Quarterly Accounts of the Exchequers of Great Britain and Ireland were made up and fettled ; for preventing of such Inconvenience, be it enacted, That in regard to the Exchequer in Great Britain, it shall be lawful for the Lord High Treasurer, or the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or any Three or more of them for the Time being ; and, with regard to the Exchequer in Ireland, it shall be lawful for the Vice Treasurer for Ireland, under Warrant of the Lord Lieutenant, or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland, for the Time being, in Manner by this Act provided, to direct the Issue of all such Sums as may be necessary for the Payment of the Interest and Sinking Fund of the National Debt, which shall be payable in either Part of the United Kingdom, and of all such Charges as have heretofore usually been defrayed out of the Consolidated Funds thereof respectively, immediately before or after the Close of every Quarter, although the Accounts of the respective Exchequers shall not have been made up and fettled ; any Thing in this Act contained to the contrary thereof in any wife notwithstanding.

X Quarterly Accounts of Consolidated Fund in Great Britain and Ireland shall be transmitted from each Country to the other, and deposited in the several Exchequers.

And be it further enacted, That as soon as the Quarterly Accounts of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom shall have been made up in the respective Exchequers of Great Britain and Ireland, a Copy of the Account of such Part of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom as shall have arisen in Great Britain within the preceding Quarter, shall be, drawn out and certified by the Auditor of the Exchequer there, arid be transmitted to the Lord High Treasurer, or the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for the Time being, who shall cause the same to be transmitted to the Vice Treasurer for Ireland, with Directions to him to cause the same to be deposited in the Office of the Receipt of the Exchequer in Ireland, for the Information of the proper Officers there ; and a Copy of the Account of such Part of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom as shall have arisen in Ireland within the preceding Quarter, shall in like Manner be drawn out and certified by the Auditor General of the Exchequer there, and be transmitted to the Lord High Treasurer, or Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, who shall order the same to be deposited in the Office of the Auditor of the Receipt of the Exchequer in Great Britain, for the Information of the proper Officers there.

XI Treasury may direct the Issue of any Part of the Quarterly-Surplus of Consolidated Fund in either Exchequer, for the Purpose of Remittance to the other.

And be it further enacted, That whenever the Surplus of Consolidated Fund remaining in the respective Exchequers of Great Britain or Ireland at the Close of any Quarter, shall have been ascertained and certified as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the Lord High Treasurer or the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or any Three or more of them, by Warrant under his or their Hand or Hands, as the Cafe may be, to order and direct that all or any Part of such Surplus remaining in the Exchequer of either Part of the United Kingdom, shall be issued to such Person or Persons as in such Warrant may be named, for the Purpose of being remitted and transferred to the Exchequer of the other Part of the United Kingdom, as the Exigencies of the Public Service of the United Kingdom may appear to them to require.

XII Issues may be made in Ireland out of the Consolidated Fund, for current Services as heretofore, and the Amount to be made good in the British Exchequer.

And be it further enacted, That nothing in this Act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to prevent any Issues being made from the Exchequer in Ireland out of the growing Produce of the Consolidated Fund arising from Time to Time in that Part of the United Kingdom, for the necessary current Services thereof, according to the invariable Course and Practice which hath heretofore prevailed there ; such Issues nevertheless, to be made in the Form and Manner directed by this Act: Provided always, That on or before the First Day of February in every Year, an Account shall be made up in the Exchequer of Ireland, of all Sums which shall have been issued out of the growing Produce of the Consolidated Fund, arising there during the respective Quarterly Periods commencing and ending as aforesaid, for defraying the current Services of Ireland, specifying in such Account the Heads of Service for which such Issues were made ; which Account shall be certified by the Auditor General of His Majesty's Exchequer there, and shall be forthwith transmitted by the Vice Treasurer to the Lord High Treasurer, or the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and such Lord High Treasurer, or Commissioners, or any Three or more of such Commissioners, as the Cafe may be, shall thereupon, by a Warrant under his or their Hand or Hands, order and direct that out of any of the Aids or Supplies of the Year remaining in the Exchequer in Great Britain, applicable to the Discharge of such Sum or Sums reflectively a Sum or Sums equal to such certified Amount of the Issues made out of the growing Produce of the Consolidated Fund, arising in Ireland for defraying the current Services there, shall be carried and placed to the Account and Credit of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom within such Quarter, and the same shall thereupon be carried and placed to such Account and Credit by the Auditor of the Receipt of His Majesty's Exchequer in Great Britain, and by the Auditor General of His Majesty's Exchequer in Ireland.

XIII So much of Irish Act 37 G.3 as appoints Commissioners for the Reduction of National Debt in Ireland, repealed: British Commissioners shall be commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of the United Kingdom.

And be it further enacted, That so much of an Act made in the Parliament of Ireland, intituled An Act for vesting a certain Fund in Commissioners at the End of every Quarter of a Year, to be by them applied to the Reduction of the National Debt, and to direct the Application of additional Funds in case of future Loans to the like Purposes; or of any Act for amending the same, as directs that certain Persons shall be Commissioners for carrying into Execution the Purposes of the said Act, shall be and the same is hereby repealed ; and that from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of Great Britain shall be and become Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of the United Kingdom: and that the said Commissioners shall have all such Powers and Authorities as are or may be given in and by any Act or Acts in force in Great Britain or Ireland, relative to the Reduction of the National Debt of Great Britain or the National Debt of Ireland; and that the several Sums which under and by virtue of several Acts in force in Great Britain and Ireland reflectively, are required to be set apart at the Receipt of the Exchequer of Great Britain and the Receipt of the Exchequer of Ireland reflectively, on account of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of Great Britain and of the National Debt of Ireland, shall continue to be so set apart; and that all such Sums so set apart, or any Part or Parts thereof, shall and may be issued and paid from Time to Time into the Bank of England or into the Bank of Ireland, as shall be directed and required by the Lord High Treasurer or the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the Time being, and shall be from Time to Time applied, under the Direction of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, in the Purchase of such Capital Stock, Funds, Debentures or Annuities, or towards any public Loan either in Great Britain or Ireland, as shall seem most expedient to the said Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of the United Kingdom ; and that the Orders of the said Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of the United Kingdom, shall at all Times be sufficient Authority to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England and of the Bank of Ireland, for paying any Part of the Money from Time to Time remaining in the Bank of England or Bank of Ireland, on account of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt of the United Kingdom, to any Person or Persons, in order to its Remittance from One Part of the United Kingdom to the other, for the Purposes of this Act; and also for the Application of any such Money to the Purchase of any Stock, Funds, Debentures, or Annuities, or towards any Public Loan in Great Britain or Ireland, any Thing in any Acc or Acts to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding.

XIV Two additional Commissioners of the Treasury to be appointed for Irish Business.

And be it further enacted, That in consequence of the Increase of Business which will result from the Provisions of this Act, it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty to nominate and appoint Two Persons to be Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and to fit and act as such with, and in addition to the Number of Commissioners which may now by Law be appointed for the executing the Office of Treasurer of the Exchequer of Great Britain, with a yearly Salary not exceeding for each of such Commissioners such Salary as is now received by each of the said Commissioners for executing the said Office of Treasurer of the Exchequer of Great Britain, to be paid to such Two Commissioners out of the Revenues appropriated to His Majesty's Civil Lift Establishment in Ireland; any Thing in an [6 A. c. 7.] Act made in the Sixth Year of the Reign of Queen Anne, intituled An Act for the securing of Her Majesty's Person and Government, and of the Succession to the Crown of Great Britain in the Protestant Line, or in any other Act or Acts to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding.

XV Sanction of the Lord Lieutenant shall be equivalent to that required here, tofore by the Irish Treasury (except in Revenue Cases).

And be it further enacted, That from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred, and seventeen, in all Cafes not otherwise specially provided for by this Act, where, under the Provisions of any Act or Acts in force immediately before the palling of this Act, any Warrant, Licence, Order, or Document, has been required to be signed by the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland (except in Cafes relating to the Revenue of Ireland) a warrant or other proper Document, as the Cafe may be, signed by the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland for the Time being, shall be of like Validity, Force, and Effect, as any such Warrant, Licence, Order, or Document of such Commissioners, to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever; and that in all Cafes where by any Act or Acts in force in Ireland, the Approbation of the said Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland has been required or made necessary (except as aforesaid) the Approbation of the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland, signified by his or their Chief Secretary, or in the Absence of such Chief Secretary, by the Under Secretary for the Civil or Military Department, as the Cafe may require, (hall be of like Validity. Force, and Effect as the Approbation of such Commissioners to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever.

XVI Vice Treasurer and Commissioners of the Treasury may sit in Parliament.

And be it further enacted, That the Appointment of any Person to be Vice Treasurer for Ireland, nor the Appointment of any Person or Persons to be Commissioner or Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, shall not, nor shall any such Appointment be deemed or taken to be an Appointment or Appointments to a new Office or new Offices, or Place or Places of Profit under the Crown; and that any Person so to be appointed Vice Treasurer for Ireland, or One of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, shall not, nor shall any of them, be thereby disabled from fitting or voting as a Member of the House of Commons, nor shall he be thereby rendered incapable of being elected a Member of the House of Commons ; any Thing in any Act or Acts to the contrary in anywise notwithstanding.

XVII Appointment of a Commissioner of the Treasury of Great Britain, to be one for the United Kingdom, shall not vacate his Seat.

And be it further enacted, That the Appointment of any Person being One of the Commissioners of the Treasury of Great Britain or Ireland, to be One of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, shall not make void the Election of any such Person respectively, nor shall any new Writ issue for a new Election in consequence of the Acceptance of any such Appointment any Thing in any Act or Acts to the contrary in any wife notwithstanding.

XVIII Powers of Irish Act, 35. G.3 for regulating Receipts and Issues of Irish Treasury, continued in force, except as altered by this Act. Powers of the Irish Treasury to be exercised by the Treasury of the United Kingdom.

And be it further enacted, That all the Provisions, Rules, Regulations, and Directions contained in the Act made in the Parliament of Ireland in the Thirty-fifth Year of His present Majesty's Reign, intituled An Act for the better Regulation of the Receipts and Issues of His Majesty Treasury ; and for repealing an Act of Parliament passed in the Tenth Year of Henry the Seventh, intituled ' An Act authorizing the Treasurer to make all Officers as the Treasurer of England doth' shall be and remain and continue in full Force and Effect, except only so far as any of the said Provisions, Rules, Regulations, and Directions are altered by this Act, or by any other Act or Acts in force immediately before the palling of this Act : Provided always, that in all Cases where any Powers or Authorities are by the said recited Act given to the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, such Powers and Authorities shall be veiled in and exercised by the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

XIX Quarterly Accounts of the Auditor General shall be examined and figured by the Vice Treasurer, and certified by him to the Treasury of the United Kingdom.

And be it further enacted, That the Quarterly Accounts of the Receipts, Issues, and Remains of the Exchequer of Ireland, as prepared by the Auditor General of the Exchequer of Ireland, and heretofore examined and signed under the Provisions of the said recited Act of the Thirty-fifth Year of His present Majesty's Reign, by the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, shall, from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, be examined and signed by the Vice Treasurer for Ireland; and that certified Abstracts of all such Accounts shall be by him from' Time to Time regularly transmitted to the Lord High Treasurer, or to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

XX Weekly Abstract from Auditor General, Clerk of the Pells, and Bank of Ireland, shall be transmitted to the Vice Treasurer; and Duplicates thereof, with all other Returns and Abstracts, shall be transmitted to the Treasury of the United Kingdom.

And be it further enacted, That the several Weekly Abstracts or Certificates of Receipts, Issues, and Remains in the Treasury of Ireland, required by the said recited Act of the Thirty-fifth Year of His present-Majesty's Reign, to be made by the Auditor General, Clerk of the Pells, and Teller of the Exchequer of Ireland, to the Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, or to the Commissioners for executing the said Office, and also the Weekly Declaration or Abstract of the Receipts and Payments on Account of the Teller of the Exchequer, required by the said Act to be made out by the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, and transmitted to the said Lord High Treasurer or Commissioners for executing the said Office, shall from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, be made out and transmitted Weekly to the Vice Treasurer for Ireland; and that Copies or Duplicates of all the aforesaid Weekly Abstracts, Certificates, and Declarations, together with all other Returns, Certificates, Abstracts, Accounts, or Declarations, which by the said recited Act are directed to be furnished or transmitted to the Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, or to the Commissioners for executing the said Office, shall from and after the said Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, be made out and transmitted to the Lord High Treasurer, or to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, at and for such Periods as are required and directed in and by the said recited Act, with respect to all such Abstracts, Accounts, or Declarations, respectively.

XXI Vice Treasurer may order Payment of Local Duties, &c.

Provided always, and be it enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the Vice Treasurer for Ireland for the Time being, by Warrant under the Hand of such Vice Treasurer, directed to the Auditor General of the Exchequer of Ireland, to order the Issue and Payment out of the said Exchequer of all such Duties or Taxes, as shall have been actually paid into the said Exchequer for any Local or Special Purposes in Ireland, under or by Authority of any Act or Acts in force in Ireland, and such Issue and Payment shall be made to all Bodies Politic or Corporate, or other Persons authorized by Law to receive the same accordingly.

XXII Certain Public Accounts to be laid annually before Parliament.

And be it further enacted, That from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and eighteen, the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the Time being shall annually cause an Account of the Total Income of the said United Kingdom, including all Duties of Customs, Excise, Stamps, and Incidents in Great Britain and Ireland respectively, and all other the ordinary Revenues and extraordinary Resources of the said United Kingdom, to be prepared and made out for One Year, ending on the Fifth Day of January in each Year, together with an Account of the Income of the Consolidated Fund of the said United Kingdom, for every such Year; and also of the actual Payments thereout within the said Year, and of the future annual Charge upon the said Fund as the same flood on that Day ; and also an Account of the Net Produce of all the permanent Taxes of the said United Kingdom within the said Year; and also an Account of the Arrears and Balances due from all public Accountants on the said Fifth Day of January in each Year; and also an Account of the Exports and Imports of the said United Kingdom, and of the Shipping registered in or belonging to the several Ports of His Majesty's Dominions within the said Year ; and also an Account of the Public Expenditure of the said United Kingdom within the said Year ; and also an Account of the Public Funded Debt of the said United Kingdom, and the Reduction thereof; and) also an Account of the Unfunded and Outstanding Debt of the said: United Kingdom, as the same flood reflectively on the Fifth Day of January in each Year; and also an Account shewing how the Monies given for the Service of the said United Kingdom for the Year preceding the said Fifth Day of January have been disposed of, and that the said Commissioners shall in each Year cause such Accounts to be laid before both Houses of Parliament on or before the Twenty-fifth Day of March in each Year, if Parliament shall be then fitting, or if Parliament shall not then be fitting, within Fourteen Days after the next Sitting of Parliament.

XXIII Annual Account to be laid before Parliament by the Vice Treasurer.

And be it further enacted, That from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and eighteen, the Vice Treasurer for Ireland for the Time being shall annually cause an Account to be prepared and made out for One Year, ending on the Fifth Day of January in each Year, (hewing the Amount of all Warrants which have palled through his Office in the Course of such Year, distinguishing the same tinder the several Heads set forth in the Accounts of Public Expenditure, required by Law to be annually laid before Parliament; and that the said Vice Treasurer shall cause such Accounts to be laid before both Houses of Parliament on or before the Twenty-fifth Day of March in each Year, if Parliament shall be then fitting, or if Parliament shall not be then fitting, within Fourteen Days after the next Sitting of Parliament. XXIV.

XXIV Vice Treasurer shall be deemed a Governor of all Corporations, and authorizing him to frank and receive Letters free.

And whereas the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland for the Time being is by virtue of his Office a Governor, Visitor, Member, or Constituent Part of several Colleges, Corporations, and Charitable and other Public Societies or Institutions in Ireland; be it enacted, That from and after the palling of this Act, the Vice Treasurer of Ireland shall, in virtue of his Office, be and become a Governor, Visitor, Member, and Constituent Part of all such Colleges, Corporations, and Charitable and other Public Societies and Institutions in Ireland, of which - the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland hath at any Time heretofore been a Governor, Visitor, Member, or Constituent Part, in Right of his Office under any Act of Parliament, Charter, Bye Law, Usage, or Custom whatsoever, in force in Ireland immediately before the passing of this Act; and it shall be lawful for the said Vice Treasurer for the Time being to fend and receive Letters and Packets by the Port, free from the Duties of Postage within the United Kingdom, in the same Manner arid under such Restrictions as the Chancellor of His Majesty's Exchequer in Ireland has been authorized by the Laws now in force to fend and receive Letters and jackets free from Postage.

XXV Existing Orders of the Irish Treasury declared valid, until revoked by Lord Lieutenant or Treasury of the United Kingdom. Books and Records of the Irish Treasury shall remain with the Vice Treasurer.

And be it further enacted, That all Rules, Orders, and Directions, which at the Time of the passing of this Act, or at any Time before the said Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, shall have been made or issued by the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, with respect to the Receipt or Payment, Issue, or Remittance of any Public Money, or with respect to any Matter or Thing within the Jurisdiction of the said Commissioners, shall be and remain in full force until the same shall be revoked or altered by the Lord Lieutenant or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland, or by the Lord High Treasurer, or the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and that all Records, and all Minute Books and Entries of the Proceedings of the said Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, and all other Books, Deeds, and Papers whatsoever, now belonging to or in the Custody of the said Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland, shall be delivered over to, and shall remain in the Custody of the Vice Treasurer for Ireland, for the Time being, under the Orders and at the Disposition, nevertheless, of the Lord High Treasurer, or Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, for the Time being, in the Offices in the Castle of Dublin, now occupied by the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland; and the Business of the Department of the said Vice Treasurer shall, from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, be transacted and carried on in the said Offices and in the Apartments thereunto belonging.

XXVI Treasury and Revenue Accounts, &c. in Ireland, and all Accounts to Parliament, shall state the Amount of the Sums therein in British Currency.

And whereas it is expedient by producing Uniformity in all Returns and Statements to Parliament, with respect to the Public Revenues and Expenditure of the United Kingdom, that the Amount of such Revenues and Expenditure shall be made to appear in British Currency, in whatever Part of the United Kingdom such Revenues or Expenditure shall have arisen or taken place; be it therefore enacted, That from and after the Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, all Accounts of all Receipts and Payments which shall be made out of any of the Public Revenues, Duties or Taxes in Ireland, and also all Accounts of all Payments into and Issues out of the Receipt of the Exchequer in Ireland, shall be kept in such Form and Manner, that the total Amount of all Sums under each respective Head of Account, in all Accounts and Papers relating to Accounts to be laid before Parliament, shall be stated in British Currency; and that it shall and may be lawful for the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Treasurer of Ireland for the Time being, at any Time after the passing of this Act, and for the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, at any Time after the said Fifth Day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventeen, to give such Orders and Directions as to them shall seem fitting and expedient for accomplishing the Purposes hereby intended to be carried into Effect.

XXVII Acquittal of Public Accountants for Money issued to them from the Treasury, &c

And whereas Doubts have arisen as to the Mode of discharging Persons being Public Accountants in Ireland, in respect of Money issued to them out of the Treasury of Ireland or otherwise, whose Accounts have been audited by the Commissioners of Public Accounts, or the Commissioners of Military Accounts in that Part of the United Kingdom, and it is proper and necessary that Provision mould be" made for that Purpose ; be it therefore enacted, That in all Cafes where the Commissioners for auditing the Public Accounts in Ireland, or the Commissioners of Military Accounts in Ireland, shall have audited and certified, or shall hereafter audit and certify any Account whatsoever of any Public Accountant, and it shall satisfactorily appear to the said Commissioners respectively, upon such Examination and Proof as to them shall seem expedient, that such Accountant is even and quit with the Public on such Account, it shall and may be lawful for the said Commissioners for auditing the Public Accounts, and for the said Commissioners of Military Accounts, and they are hereby respectively authorized and required, under their Signature, to acquit and discharge, and grant a Quietus to such Public Accountant; and such Acquittance, Discharge, or Quietus, shall be good, valid, and effectual, to all Intents and Purposes, and shall be taken and received by any Court of Law or Equity in the United Kingdom, in Bar of any Suit or Process against such Public Accountant who shall have received the same for any Matter or Thing touching the Period of Account, with respect to which such Acquittal, Discharge, or Quietus shall have been granted.

XXVIII Commissioners shall notify the Nature and Form of the Documents to be produced for obtaining such Quietus.

And, in order that all Public Accountants shall be fully apprised of and prepared with the necessary Documents or Proofs to entitle them to demand and receive such Acquittal, Discharge, or Quietus from the said Commissioners for auditing the Public Accounts, or the said Commissioners of Military Accounts respectively; be it enacted, That the said Commissioners shall respectively, as soon after the palling of this Act as may be, determine upon the Nature and Form of the Documents arid Proofs required to be produced to them respectively for the Purposes aforesaid ; and that the said Commissioners shall, by public Advertisement under their Hands, to be inserted in the Dublin Gazette, in Three succeeding Publications thereof, and in any other Manner which they shall think fit; notify and declare the Nature and Form of such Documents and Proofs to all Public Accountants under their respective Departments; and it shall not be lawful for the said Commissioners to alter or change the Nature or Form of any such Documents or Proofs so required, until the Expiration of 'three Calendar Months after the Nature and Form of such new Documents and Proofs shall have been notified and declared by public Advertisement in the Dublin Gazette, and otherwise in Manner aforesaid.