HC Deb 26 May 1808 vol 11 cc642-3

Mr. Tierney moved the order of the day for proceeding in the examination of witnesses on the Orders in Council.

Lord Castlereagh

urged the propriety of proceeding to the further consideration of the Local Militia bill; at the same time, he left it entirely to the feelings of the right hon. gent. whether he thought that the business which he had brought forward ought to take the precedence.

Mr. Rose

stated that some of the witnesses, not expecting to be called upon on this evening, had not attended.—The Serjeant at arms having inquired, it was found that no persons were in attendance, and Mr. Tierney having declined to move any new order on the subject,

Mr. Whitbread

thought that the attendance of those witnesses should be enforced, not so much by way of punishment, as for the sake of example in future.

Lord H. Petty

supported the motion.

The Speaker

said, that the house had a right to compel the attendance of any witness, and it was for the house to consider whether their absence was wilful or accidental. If it was wilful, the course would be, to order them into custody; but if it was accidental, it would be for the house to order their attendance on another day.

Mr. Whitbread moved, that they be ordered to attend to-morrow.—While the conversation was going on, the Speaker informed the house that the parties were come. The Speaker having left the chair, Mr. Moling was called to the bar, and examined by Mr. Tierney. His answers to the questions put to him being given in rather an indecorous style, he was reprimanded in the course of his examination, and ordered to be more cautious in the language he used in future.—The above witness was examined at considerable length by Messrs. Tierney, Whitbread, Stephen, and Eden. The purport of his testimony went to prove, that the Orders in Council had not been attended with any of the effects he had expected would have resulted from them upon the continental trade; at the same time he persisted in declaring it as his continued opinion, that of such effects they would sooner or later be ultimately productive.—Three more witnesses were examined, after which the house resumed.