HC Deb 06 July 1831 vol 4 cc800-1
Mr. Dennison

moved, that a new Writ be issued for Liverpool in his own room, he having selected to sit for Nottinghamshire.

The Marquis of Chandos

moved, that the entry on the Journals of the Resolutions of the House of the 29th March last, for deferring the issue of a new Writ for Liverpool, should be read. The noble Marquis then said, it would be inexpedient to adopt any measures with respect to issuing a new Writ, until the Motion of the hon. member for Wiltshire (Mr. Benett) should have been disposed of. He therefore moved, that the debate on this subject be. adjourned to Friday next.

Mr. Denison

said, that connected as he was with the town of Liverpool, he felt it a duty which he owed to the electors, to endeavour as far as he was concerned, to give them an opportunity of exercising their franchise. If the House should decide against his Motion for issuing the Writ, he would, of course, bow to its decision, but he believed there was no precedent for refusing in one Parliament, to issue a Writ, on account of anything that took place in a former Parliament. He must, however, say that the noble Marquis at all events, proposed to postpone the discussion on this question a day longer than was necessary, on his own showing, because the Motion of the hon. member for Wiltshire stood for to-morrow; he hoped, therefore, the noble Marquis would substitute to-morrow for Friday. He would willingly consent to meet the convenience of the House, but it must also be recollected, there were other parties interested in the proceeding. It was a matter of no slight importance to leave a great town, and the second sea-port in the kingdom, exposed for a considerable time to the excitement of an election canvass.

The Marquis of Chandos

said, his object was, to have the motion of the hon. member for Wiltshire take precedence of the Writ.

Mr. Ewart

trusted the House would permit him to say, that there was this singular inconsistency in not issuing the Writ, that if his late hon. Colleague had consented to sit for Liverpool, that town would have had two Representatives, and it was only by an accident, as it were, that the question was raised, as to whether there should now be two Representatives or one.

Debate adjourned.