Mr. C. W. Wynncomplained, that the door of the House had been violently closed against him, as he was entering, by the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms. He understood, that every Member had a right to enter the House previous to a division, until the question was put from the Chair; whereas, he had been excluded before the question was actually put. He should not have noticed this affair if he had not been treated with violence.
§ Lord Althorpsuggested to the hon. Member the propriety of postponing his complaint until the Speaker was in the Chair.
Mr. C. W. Wynnsaid, that the Serjeant-at-Arms was the officer of the Committee of the whole House, and might now receive directions not to repeat the conduct of which he complained.
An Hon. Membersaid, that the question had been put before the Deputy-Serjeant closed the door, and was put again, in consequence of the confusion which prevailed in the House.
Mr. Bernal (the Chairman)understood, that when once the question was put from the Chair, it was the duty of the Serjeant immediately to close the door; and if his eyes did not deceive him, the Deputy-Serjeant proceeded to do so in the just execution of his duty. If there was any want of courtesy shown by that officer, a complaint might properly be made, when the House resumed, to the Speaker.
Mr. C. W. Wynndid not know that it was part of the duty of the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms to shut the door when a Member was partly in and partly out of the House.
§ Mr. C. Calvertsaid, that the Deputy-Serjeant had been repeatedly called on by the House to shut the door previous to doing so.
Admiral Adamwas near the door, and thought it his duty to say the question had been put, and the door could not be closed from the Members about it.
§ The House resumed.