The Chancellor of the Exchequerrose to move for a new writ for the borough of Inverness, &c. The right hon. gentleman stated, that his hon. friend (Mr. Charles Grant), having accepted the office of one of the lords of his Majesty's Treasury, had in consequence 341 vacated his seat, and had been re-elected. He had, however, after his second election, neglected to take the oaths out of the House, before the lord steward of the household, his deputy or deputies; and had only taken the oaths at the table of the House; thinking that, owing to his previous election, he might dispense with, the first formality. For this, by the provisions of several acts of parliament, he had not only vacated his seat a second time, but had also incurred several penalties; from which, however, he trusted the House, with their usual indulgence, would indemnity him; and it was his intention to introduce a Bill to that effect.
A new writ was ordered for the borough of Inverness, &c.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer then brought up Mr. Grant's Indemnity Bill.
Mr. Wynneobserved, that no one could possibly have any objection to such a Bill. But the necessity of it, in the present instance, proved still more the propriety of doing away altogether the oaths taken out of the House. He had introduced a Bill to that effect in the last session; but it had been lost elsewhere; owing, as it was stated, to a most unaccountable fear manifested by what was called the Protestant interest, that Roman Catholics might, in the first session of a parliament, introduce themselves into the House, to influence the nomination of a Speaker—[a laugh.]
Mr. Grant's Indemnity Bill was then read a first and second time, and ordered to be committed tomorrow.