HC Deb 22 July 1834 vol 25 cc339-40

Lord Morpeth moved, that for the remainder of the Session Orders of the Day should take precedence of notices. The noble Lord observed, that whatever arguments he had employed on the former occasion of his bringing this Motion forward were now much strengthened by the advance of the Session.

Mr. George F. Young

objected to the proposition of the noble Lord, as palpably unjust to those Members who had not had an opportunity of bringing forward their Motions, particularly as a critical attention to the Orders showed that they were in many instances no better entitled to the attention of the House than notices. Another reason for his objecting to it was the impracticability of the scheme, for those Members who were disappointed in bringing on Motions in the usual way would certainly bring them on as Amendments on the Orders of the Day.

Mr. H. Hughes

hoped the noble Lord opposite would not press a Motion that was aimed at the privileges of the House.

Colonel Evans

agreed with the hon. Member who had last spoken, and thought it absurd to contend against the addition of two or three days to the Session, when that would be ended in ten or eleven days, or at any rate in a fortnight. He had no doubt the hon. Gentlemen opposite would do all they could to shorten it; but the privileges of the House were of more importance than the curtailment of the Session.

Mr. Sheil

observed, that the Motion came recommended by high authority, as it was brought forward by the son of one Cabinet Minister, and seconded by the son (the Earl of Kerry) of another. Ministers were to blame if the Session was too much advanced. They had had a recess of three weeks to forget their official cares, while Members of the Opposition were believed from their assiduous attention to the interests of the people. As the Government had been happily instrumental in producing this delay, they ought not to complain of it.

Sir Henry Hardinge

was in favour of the motion, but feared it would not succeed in its aim, if notices were brought forward as Amendments on the Orders of the Day.

Lord Althorp

said, that if the Motion did not meet with the general consent of the House, it would be perfectly useless; but if hon. Gentlemen would really consider what Motions might be brought on without disadvantage next Session, and if they would consent to withdraw mere abstract questions, an understanding might be come to, which would make the motion of his noble friend unnecessary.

Mr. Hume

hoped that the noble Lord would not call on the House to come to any such understanding. He trusted the House would not give up its rights.

Mr. Littleton

said, he would prefer having a general understanding at the close of the Session to a precise arrangement. He should wish it to be understood, that it was the opinion of the House collectively that the Orders of the Day should be proceeded with as speedily as possible.

Mr. O'Connell

thought, that it would be advisable to have all bills withdrawn which had not been read a second time, as there was no chance of carrying them this session. He hoped they would all put their shoulders to the work, and endeavour to get through it with all possible despatch. The Irish Tithe Bill alone would take a considerable length of time.

Lord Morpeth

would be unwilling to press his Motion to a division against the sense of a majority of the House. He was willing to put it amended after the following manner:—"That for the remainder of the Session Orders of the Day should take precedence of notices on every day of the week, excepting Thursday." If this were not agreed to, he should certainly divide.

The House divided—Ayes 85; Noes 45: Majority 40.

List of the NOES.
Arbuthnot, General Baring, H.
Barnard, E. G. Bernal, R.
Blake, Sir F. O'Connell, John
Blake, M. O'Dwyer, A. C.
Bruce, Lord E. O'Grady, Colonel
Callaghan, D. O'Reilly, W.
Clay, W. Palmer, R.
Duncombe, T. Parrot, J.
Evans, Colonel Perceval, Colonel
Fancourt, Major, Perrin, L.
Grattan, H. Potter, R.
Gronow, Captain Roche, W.
Hardinge, Sir H. Ruthven, E.
Hughes, W. H. Scholefield, J.
Jones, Captain Sullivan, R.
Kennedy, J. Tancred, H. W.
Langdale, Hon. C. Young, G. F.
Lincoln, Earl of Wallace, R.
Nagle, Sir R. Walker, C. A.
Oswald, R. A. Wilks, J.
O'Connor, F.
O'Conor, Don TELLERS.
O'Connell, D. Hume, J.
O'Connell, M. Sheil, R. L.