HL Deb 10 February 1845 vol 77 cc223-4
The Marquess of Normanby

had a question to put to the noble Duke opposite, relative to the business of the House. He held in his hand a Return, made in consequence of a Motion to that effect last Session, respecting the periods at which different Bills had come to this from the other House of Parliament; and he found, by referring to it, that more than three-fourths of these Bills had been brought up as late as July. When he had drawn the attention of the House to the subject last Session, none of their Lordships seemed more to feel the inconvenience than the noble Duke opposite. Now, if they did not wish it to recur again, there must be an attempt to remedy the evil during the early part of the Session. Judging of the intentions of the Government relative to the introduction of new Bills from the Royal Speech, it did not occur to him that any of the Bills in question were likely to be originated in their Lordships' House, and this being the case, and the Easter recess coming on so early this year, he did not think that, with the best intentions on the part of the noble Duke, any immediate attempts could well be made. But he was sure that the noble Duke, recollecting what they had suffered last Session from the circumstance to which he had alluded, would have the kindness to use his powerful influence with his colleagues, so to order matters as to enable their Lordships, from the Easter recess to the conclusion of the Session, to take business step by step, instead of having it accumulated together at the very close of their sittings. It was with reference to this subject that he put his question. He hoped, even although no immediate answer should be given, that the matter would not be overlooked by Government.

The Duke of Wellington

observed that however, his noble Friend had not put any question at all. He had made a statement, with which he quite agreed.

The Marquess of Normanby

The questions he had intended to put were—first, whether any of the measures to be introduced by Government were likely to originate in this House? And also, whether they were likely to have any important measures submitted to them previous to the Easter recess?

The Duke of Wellington

Let this intimation stand as a Notice, and let my noble Friend repeat the questions to-morrow night.