Lord Seftonpresented a petition from the merchants, housekeepers, and other inhabitants of Liverpool. It was signed by nearly 400 individuals of the highest respectability. The petitioners stated, that they observed that a bill had been brought into the House for the regulation of the civil list, and the}' hoped, that in proceeding to the consideration of that object, the House would bear in mind the existing national distress. The petitioners particularly adverted to the subject of pensions, and described the bad effect on the public mind arising from the lavish and indiscriminate manner in which they were bestowed. They hoped that the amount and disposition of these pensions would be clearly defined by parliament; and they also hoped it might be made the law of the land, that no part of the pension fund should ever be granted 334 by the Crown to a member of the House of Commons, or, if so granted, that that member should no longer retain his seat, The noble lord observed, that from the intimate connexion existing between himself and the petitioners, and from his knowledge of their principles, he was persuaded that there were no persons in existence more anxious for the honour and dignity of the Crown: at the same time, they were earnestly solicitous that the situation of the country should be taker into serious consideration by the House.
Mr. Bennettook that opportunity of giving notice, that whenever the civil list bill should come into the committee, he would propose the introduction of a clause, providing, that members of the House of Commons who should receive from the Crown any such grants as those alluded to in the petition, should vacate their seats.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.