§ Lord Althorpmoved the Order of the Day for the Second Reading of the Church Reform Bill (Ireland).
Mr. O'Connellbegged to ask the noble Lord whether some time could not be set apart for the reception of petitions against the Irish Coercion Bill, before it proceeded any further in Committee? He understood there were a vast number of petitions yet to be presented against that Bill.
§ Lord Althorpthought the request of the hon. and learned Gentleman was not quite reasonable. Nine hours in the week were already devoted exclusively to receiving petitions, which would be ample for the purpose, if Gentlemen would not make such long speeches whenever they presented a petition.
§ Lord John Russellsuggested, that when there were a number of petitions on one subject, and with the same prayer, they might all be brought up together, and only one question be put on them, namely that they be laid upon the Table.
§ Mr. Cobbettapproved of that provided the petitions were read at length and printed.
§ Sir Robert Peelsaid, that in presenting 647 petitions, as little time as possible should be uselessly consumed, for the time of the House was the time of the public. With respect to the sittings at twelve o'clock, they did not seem to have much advanced public business. Besides other objections, they were open to a very material one; namely, that reports of those sittings went abroad, the incorrectness of which, when they happened to be so, could not be contradicted without the loss of a day.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, perhaps the noble Lord would consent that petitions against the Irish Bill should be presented at a late hour on that evening.
§ Lord Althorphad no objection to that proposition.
§ The subject was dropped.