HC Deb 23 September 1831 vol 7 cc522-3

Captain Berkeley moved for leave of absence for a fortnight, on urgent private business, for Lord Mexborough.

Mr. O' Connell

must object to the Motion, and he hoped the hon. Member would not press it.

Lord Stormont

complained of the hon. and learned member for Kerry giving notice of a Call of the House, and then postponing it; keeping a rod hanging over their heads from day to day, which was extremely inconvenient.

Mr. O' Connell

said, that he had no pity whatever for the noble Lord; being himself a member for Ireland, he could not take those flights backwards and forwards which the noble Lord was able to take; and he, therefore, did not see why he should give up the Call of the House. His reason for postponing the Call of the House was, because the Irish Reform Bill had been postponed.

Sir John Sebright

thought that the hon. member for Kerry had done perfectly right, in postponing the Call of the House till the object for which he desired it was coming forward.

Mr. John Smith

was astonished at the noble Lord (Stormont) having undertaken to lecture Members about a Call of the House. He thought, that the only real way to enforce a Call of the House was, never to carry it into execution.

Mr. Goulburn

denied that his noble friend had lectured anybody. He, for his part, did not object to any course that the hon. member for Kerry might take as to the Call of which he had given notice: most likely, whether there was a Call or not, he should be present.

Sir John Brydges

admitted, that the first duty of a Member of Parliament was, his attendance at that House; but still, as all men necessarily had important private business to transact, a Call of the House, hanging over the heads of Members, was excessively inconvenient.

Leave given.