Mr. O'Connellasked the right hon. Baronet a question relative to the act for the trial of controverted elections. That act would expire at the end of the present Session of Parliament, and he would ask whether it was in the contemplation of her Majesty's Government to bring in a bill during the present Session to continue it?
§ Sir R. Peelreplied, that it was assuredly his intention to bring in a bill to continue the present act for a certain time longer, and when he saw the number of compromises, alleged to have taken place, it certainly gave him the impression that 815 there was a more searching inquiry instituted under the new, than under the old act. He hoped that the House would never consent to part with its jurisdiction in election matters. Whether it would be right to make any modification in the existing act he would not now state; but it was his intention, by renewing the act, to ask the House whether they would retain the jurisdiction.
Mr. O'Connellwould say, that whatever change might be made, he did not think that the trial of controverted elections could be in worse hands than in those of Members of that House.