SUITORS IN CHANCERY. (Hansard, 17 May 1811)

§ Mr. M. A. Taylor
again called the attention of the House to the situation of Suitors in Chancery, He had brought forward their case twice already. In the first instance he motion had been negatived, on the ground of notice having been given of a motion on the subject elsewhere; and in the present session, when he renewed his motion, it was met by the previous question, and he was told, it would be proper to wait till the result of the proceedings in a Committee of the Lords was made known. He was now told, that a something might shortly be expected from them in the shape of a Report; this, however, he felt confident would not remedy the evil. He then proceeded to state the hardships experienced by Suitors in Chancery. He would propose that three commissioners or judges should be appointed to decide on their claims, which he thought ought not to be attached to the great seal. He concluded by moving, "That a Committee be appointed to enquire into the causes that retard the decision of suits in the high court of Chancery."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer
thought, as the subject was postponed some time till the result of the inquiries making by the Lords was known, there was no reason for doing any thing now, as their report had not yet been published, and was expected shortly to appear. Under these circumstances he would move the previous question.

§ Mr. H. Martin
spoke in favour of the original motion.

Mr. Lockhart
thought it might be advisable to suspend their decision, and would, if permitted, move an adjournment for a week.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer withdrew the previous question, and Mr. Lock-hart moved that the debate should be adjourned to Thursday.

Sir S. Romilly
spoke in favour of the motion of his hon. friend, which he thought from the knowledge he had of the circumstance, did not deserve to be met either with the previous question, or by the motions for an adjournment.

§ Mr. Stephen
thought that all opinions should be reserved until the House was in possession of the plan itself, and that there would be an impropriety in going into the consideration of the evil, without a view to some remedy.

§ Mr. H. Martin
said he saw no reason why the House should refuse going into a Committee, the evil being admitted upon all hands.

Mr. Secretary Ryder
agreed in the amendment; and contended that they should wait the result of the inquiry which was known to be going forward in another place.

§ Mr. Adam
observed, particularly with respect to the appellant jurisdiction, that it would be necessary to clear off the present arrears, and nothing more; the evil was but temporary, and required but a temporary remedy.

Mr. Morris
spoke in favour of the amendment.

§ Mr. C. Adams
supported the motion.
After a few observations from Mr. Pole Carew, who supported the amendment, and Mr. Ponsonby, who maintained that a sufficient cause for delay was not made out,