§ Sir Richard Vyvyansaid, that the present discussion strongly exemplified the inconvenience of the present mode of transacting the business of the House. The hon. member for Wexford (Mr. Walker) presented a petition, which led to an irregular discussion relating to a contingent matter about a Surrogate in Ireland. In the midst of that discussion, the right hon. Gentleman gave notice of a motion 1064 on tithes; and then the hon. member for Shrewsbury asked a question about Benefit Societies. He thought, in order to avoid such irregularity, that some plan should be adopted with regard to the time of presenting petitions; and that some regulation should be entered into to prevent Members from speaking more than once upon petitions. He would suggest, either that the petitions should be received after the regular business of the evening was over; or else that all Members should put down their names on the list; and that the Speaker should commence each evening with the name of the hon. Member next to that with which he had terminated the petitions of the previous evening.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that the new plan which had recently been adopted had not yet had a fair trial; and that it would be better to wait until they had had some experience of its effects. Should it not succeed, he thought the suggestions of the hon. Baronet might be well worthy of consideration.
Colonel Daviessaid, the manner in which discussions were got up on the presentation of petitions was a great abuse, and he thought the proposal of the hon. Baronet would only increase the evil. It was not to be endured, that the petitions of the people were to be presented after the regular business of the day was over, when five Members were present, and the House was exhausted. On the whole, he was of opinion, that some particular time, or even one day in the week, ought to be set apart for receiving petitions.
§ Mr. Huntsaid, he was of the same opinion; he believed, that, unless they came to some better arrangement, few people would think it worth their while to transmit their petitions. He should write to his constituents, that no petitions might be sent to him unless some improvement was made, as he could not undertake to present them at one or two in the morning. The great evil was, the intolerable length to which Irish petitions were discussed.
§ Mr. Littletonrecommended, that the names on the Speaker's list should be proceeded with until seven o'clock. The real cause of the evil was, in his opinion, the immense quantity of private business.
Sir Robert Peelsaid, that the fault lay with the hon. Gentlemen who made long speeches on petitions, instead of reserving 1065 the expression of their sentiments for motions. He thought it would be necessary for the House to interfere, to preclude Gentlemen from stating anything more than the object of the petitions they presented.
Mr. Alderman Waithmansaid, that there should be a Standing Order to make every Gentleman confine themselves to the matter contained in the petitions they presented.
§ Sir Richard Vyvyanproposed, that, for the purpose of hearing petitions, the business of the House should not commence until six o'clock.
Mr. Robert Gordonobserved, that this regulation would be inexpedient. Until the Reform Bill was passed, it would be impossible to adopt the hon. Baronet's suggestion.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, he had no objection to adopt the hon. Baronet's suggestion, if the House would continue in Committee an hour longer.
§ Petition laid upon the Table.