HL Deb 10 February 1851 vol 114 cc266-8
The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNE

would now move the Order of the Day, of which he had given notice, for the presentation of an humble Address to Her Majesty, in acknowledgment of the services of the Earl of Shaftesbury, who for so many years had filled the office of Chairman of the Committees of that House. In addressing their Lordships on this subject, he felt it was unnecessary for him to say much; because he was addressing an audience which, for a great many years past, had had daily opportunities of observing the Earl of Shaftesbury's demeanour while filling a most arduous situation, the duties of which had become more and more important with every passing year. It might be in the recollection of their Lordships, that the noble Earl had served in that post for no less a period than thirty-six years. During the last century, its duties were discharged gratuitously by Members of that House; and it was not till somewhat more than fifty years ago that it was thought necessary to create a new office for this purpose, with a salary attached. That salary Lord Shaftesbury had always received, and he was now entitled to a retiring allowance in acknowledgment of his services, and in testimony of their Lordships' satisfaction with the manner in which they had been performed. He would only further observe that, although no person, he believed, entertained stronger opinions upon many of the great questions that had divided that House and the country during the time he had passed in that situation, no circumstances whatever were allowed to influence him in the impartial, conscientious, and efficient discharge of the duties of that situation towards all persons. The noble Marquess then moved— That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, humbly to represent to Her Majesty the high sense this House entertains of the ability, integrity, impartiality, and indefatigable industry with which the Earl of Shaftesbury has discharged the weighty and important duties of Chairman of the Committees of this House, and of the Private Committees of the same, for these thirty-six years last past; and by means of whose vigilant exertions, the honour and justice of this House in the administration of its legislative functions for the benefit of its various suitors by private petition, have been upheld and maintained with the utmost purity and dignity: that this House deeply regrets the misfortune of his Lordship's inability from infirmity any longer to execute the duties of that important office, and his necessary absence as a most serious loss, not only to this House in particular, but to the public at large; and most earnestly begs leave to recommend his Lordship's eminent and essential services to Her Majesty's most gracious consideration.

LORD STANLEY

might, perhaps, be permitted to express the great satisfaction it gave him to second the Motion. He entirely concurred in the sentiments expressed by the noble Marquess in the statement he had made to their Lordships, and also in the words of the Address moved. It properly characterised Lord Shaftesbury as having managed the business which fell to him to discharge with great ability, impartiality, independence, and industry; and he was quite sure that their Lordships would cordially adopt the Address. He would only, in addition, express his firm expectation and belief that those valuable qualities which distinguished Lord Shaftesbury would not be found to sustain any diminution in the noble Lord who, a few nights ago, had been appointed to succeed him.

LORD BROUGHAM

said, that, as he had filled the office of Speaker of the House during a portion of the time that the noble Earl had been Chairman of Committees, it was only natural that he should take this opportunity of bearing his unhesitating and willing testimony to the merits of his noble Friend. In the discharge of his duties, he must say that his noble Friend had always shown great diligence, great acuteness, and, above all, the most perfect and undeniable impartiality. He would merely add, that his noble and learned Friend (Lord Lyndhurst) had authorised him to express to the House his great regret at not being able to attend in his place, to bear his testimony to the services of the noble Earl.

Address agreed to nemine dissentiente.