Colonel Sibthorperose to complain of this step of the noble Lord when he had a motion on the paper which he would say was of the utmost importance to the House, to the country, and particularly to his own constituents. Three of the returns which had been made to motions of his, respecting the expenses of the various commissions issued by Government, were palpably incorrect, and he believed designedly so, and he was desirous to inquire into the history of the expenses of these commissions, and to prove before a committee that they had 446 cost not less than two millions of money, without producing any one advantage to the country. He would tell the noble Lord, that if he was prepared, as was probable, to refuse this committee, he would be wanting in his duty to the public and himself, and he would tell him, moreover, that he was afraid, as a Minister of the Crown, of this investigation. In one of the returns to which he had referred the salaries of the Poor Law Commissioners, their officers, and assistants, were stated at one amount, and in another and subsequent return at another amount; and he thought the public had a right to know why different sums were returned as having been granted in these two cases. He moved that a select committee be appointed to inquire into the various commissions that have been issued since the year 1830 to the present time.
The Chairmansaid, that now he understood the motion of the hon. and gallant Member, he must remind him that it could not be entertained in a committee, but must be moved in the whole House.
§ Colonel Sibthorpmust of course submit to the rules of he House.
§ The House resumed, the Committee to sit again.