HC Deb 03 July 1823 vol 9 cc1428-9

Mr. Bankes moved, "That a Select Committee be appointed to examine what progress has been made towards forming a General Index to the Journals of this House, commencing with the 56th volume, in pursuance of an humble Address of this House to the Prince Regent on the 5th June 1818, and to report the same, with their observations thereupon, to the House."

Mr. Hume moved as amendment, to insert, after 1818, the words, "and to inquire whether any improvement may be made in the method now in practice, of engrossing bills, so as to facilitate the business of the House."

Mr. Bankes

said, there was no affinity between the amendment and the original motion.

Mr. Wynn

said, that the old letter in which the bills were now written out, was more likely to be legible 200 years hence, than the Italian hand in general use at present. The ordinary writing-hand was subject to much variation; the old letter used in the bills would be subject to no variation at all.

Mr. Ricardo

thought the time would hardly come when the common Italian hand now in use would be unintelligible. The change suggested would save considerable expense, and greatly expedite the dispatch of business.

Mr. Hume

said, that if his amendment was opposed, he would withdraw it. The subject, however, seemed to him of so much consequence, that he should give notice of a distinct motion upon it for tomorrow.