Mr. Humerose to move for information respecting our relations with foreign Powers, particularly with Belgium and Holland, which had formerly, he believed, been laid before the House. He was desirous that all the papers upon this subject should be collected and laid on the Table, that they might be ready to be referred to by all the Members of that House, whenever occasion might require. He was specially anxious that this should be effected, because, in another place, it had been stated by one of the Ministers of the Crown, that the future actions of the Government, with respect to Belgium, would depend upon the treaties by which it was bound; and as the Members of that House would have eventually to decide upon an examination of these treaties, he trusted there would be no objection to their being laid before them. He wished to remind the House of what happened with regard to Portugal. The treaties with that country were, for the most part, of at least 120 years' standing, and were supposed to have lapsed, until one of our Ministers, at the time troops were ordered to Portugal, declared that they were in operation, and the House was called on to act on them forthwith, although great difference of opinion prevailed as to the necessity of that line of conduct. He therefore hoped, that Government would not object to have those papers laid on the Table. The hon. Member moved for copies of all the exist- 209 ing Treaties between his Britannic Majesty and Foreign Powers, respecting Holland and Belgium; and also respecting the kingdom of Portugal.
§ Sir Robert Peelsaid, he had no objection to the production of those papers; but really, all that was material might be found by reference to documents already published. He therefore thought, that on a principle of economy the Motion was unnecessary; but, unfortunately, the hon. Member always objected to his economy. Every thing in the least necessary for all legitimate subjects of debate was of easy access.
Mr. Humesaid, the treaties might be copied, and then it would be for the House to consider, whether they should be printed or no.
§ Sir Robert Peelobserved, that the too frequent orders for the copying out of long documents already published, occasioned a great increase in the number of persons employed in the public offices. All the necessary treaties might be found in the "Annual Register."
Mr. Humewas glad to see the right hon. Gentleman so economical; but he suggested that the printing of those papers might perhaps prevent a war. How were they to know what treaties Ministers referred to? He (Mr. Hume) had himself a good library, but how was he to find out the treaties in his books? Besides, there were many hon. Members who had not received copies of the treaties already laid on the Table.
§ Sir R. Peelobserved, the system of providing all parliamentary documents for new Members, would be one of profuse expenditure—it would cost at least 40,000l. —and, besides, why had the library been established, if not to afford hon. Members an easy access to information upon such subjects. Either to reprint the Treaty of Vienna, or that of Paris, would be ridiculous: but if there was any other Treaty required, which was not of easy access, he would cheerfully pledge himself to produce it.