HC Deb 29 February 1804 vol 1 cc569-70

The House proceeded to ballot for two Committees, to try the merits of the petition complaining of undue elections for London and Coventry, in the former of which only they succeeded.—Sir G. Cornwall reported from the Committee appointed to try and determine the merits of the petition complaining of an undue election for Aylesbury, that Mr. Dupre was dury elected, that Mr. Bent was not duly elected, that the petitioner Mr. Freemantle was not duly elected, that the election, as far as related to Mr. Bent, was void, and the petitions were not frivolous and vexatious. He further reported, that such a system of bribery and corruption had been practised at the last election, that the Committee thought it incumbent upon them to submit it to the consideration of the House, in order that they might institute such proceedings as it might think proper.—The latter report was then read by the clerk, and on the motion of Sir Geo. Cornewall, ordered to be taken into consideration on next Monday fortnight, and to be printed.—Sir Geo. Cornewall then moved that the Minutes of evidence taken before the Committee should be laid upon the table Ordered.—He also moved that the Speaker should not issue any warrant for a new writ for Aylesbury until the report should have been taken into consideration. Ordered.—An account was ordered In be presented of the amount of interest received in Great-Britain on loans raised for Ireland, for 8 years.—Mr. Howard brought up the report of the Committee relative to the proposed canal from Croydon to Portsmouth, which was read and agreed to, and a bill ordered.—Lord G. L. Gower presented a petition from the malsters and barley growers of Tamworth and its neighbourhood, in Staffordshire, complaining of the heavy duly on malt, and praying relief which was ordered to lie on the table.