§ Lord Althorp—I beg to give notice, that in consequence of the length of time that has been occupied by the debates in the Committee on the Reform Bills, I shall move to-morrow, that on such days as the Committee is appointed for, that Order of the Day do take precedence of all business whatever, including petitions. I now beg leave to move, that the House resolve itself into a Committee on the Reform Bill.
Mr. C. W. Wynnbegged to remind the noble Lord, that if he persisted in his motion, he would be acting directly contrary to the engagement into which he entered on Wednesday last—-viz. to allow the ordinary business of the House to have precedence on this day; he had himself a bill of considerable importance before the House, which it had been fixed should have precedence; he should, therefore, substitute as an amendment on the motion of the noble Lord, that the Order of the Day for the third reading of the Oaths before the Lord Steward's Bill, be read.
§ Lord Althorpwished that his right hon. friend would postpone this bill, and allow the Reform Question to be proceeded with. He thought the importance of carrying the Reform Bill through the Committee, with as little delay as possible, would induce every hon. Gentleman to defer all other business, until that desirable object had been obtained.
Mr. C. W. Wynnobserved, that only last Wednesday, it had been settled, that Wednesdays were to be open days, on which Government Orders of the Day were not to have precedence. He thought the House should come to an understanding, whether all kinds of public business should stand still, until such measures as Ministers chose to give precedence to should be decided. There were many matters of equal importance to the Reform Bill awaiting their consideration, and it was positively necessary that some time should be devoted to them. There was the Bill relating to the Game Laws, for instance, which it was highly expedient should be passed before the period arrived when prosecutions under the existing laws would most likely begin. If 90 his noble friend was, however, particularly desirous of proceeding with the Reform Bill that evening, he would give him precedence, provided he was positively assured, the same precedence would be accorded to him on Wednesday next.
§ Lord Althorpadmitted, that such was the arrangement, and therefore, if his right honourable friend chose to insist on precedency, it must be allowed; but he (Lord Althorp) thought, that though he was literally bound to that arrangement, he hardly was to the spirit of it, as the Committee on the Reform Bill might be looked upon in the light of an adjourned debate.
§ Mr. Briscoesaid, that the Reform Bill ought to take precedence of all other questions, because it was at present an all-absorbing question.
Mr. Sadlerentirely differed from the hon. Gentleman: it was highly inconvenient and improper that every subject of importance, however pressing, should be obliged to give way to this one measure.
§ Lord Althorpperceived that the discussion was a mere waste of time, he would, therefore, at once give way to his right hon. friend.