HC Deb 12 March 1840 vol 52 cc1154-5
The Speaker

had to acquaint the House that the Sergeant-at-Arms had a communication to make with regard to certain summonses or writs which had been served upon some of the officers of that House.

The Sergeant was then called to the bar, and stated that notices of action had been served by Thomas Burton Howard upon the following officers of the House:—Charles Stein, William Bellamy, John Lead, John Mitchell, and the assistant-secretary, Captain Gossett. The notices were delivered in, and the Sergeant was proceeding to read a memorandum which he made at the time, when

The Attorney-General

said, he very much doubted the expediency and propriety of the Sergeant-at-Arms making any statements concerning this matter at the bar.

The Sergeant delivered in a copy of the notice, which was read by the clerk.

Sir E. Sugden

was understood to inquire why that notice had not been brought forward before?

Lord J. Russell

said, he really did not know until the previous day that such a paper was in existence. He was told by the Sergeant-at-Arms that he had received some notice, but he never had any positive information that he could act upon. He was informed by the Speaker—yesterday, he thought—that this notice had been received. He moved that the whole subject be taken into consideration to-morrow.

Ordered.

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