HC Deb 11 August 1836 vol 35 cc1135-7

Lord John Russell moved, that the managers of the last Conference should be appointed managers of the present.

The clerk read over the names of the managers.

Mr. Hume

asked who nominated the managers on the former conference?

The Speaker

the House.

Mr. Hume

was present in the House when they were nominated, but believed that the nomination had been made by the Speaker. He, out of deference to the right hon. Gentleman, did not make any objection, although he certainly considered that the names which had been selected were not a fair specimen of the opinions entertained by hon. Members on his side of the House. If it was intended that the Bill should pass, with the amendments, then it might be all very well to appoint hon. Gentlemen entertaining the same opinions; but if the proceedings of the Conference were to be conducted fairly, having due regard to the differences of opinion prevailing among hon. Gentlemen on his side of the House, then he must say that the selection had not been properly made.

Mr. Thomas Duncombe

How many constitute the body of managers?

The Speaker

sixteen.

Mr. T. Duncombe

Then I beg to move that the hon. Member for Middlesex, be substituted for one of those hon. Members who have not answered to their names.

Agreed to.

Other Members were appointed, and the managers withdrew.

On returning, after an absence of about an hour and a quarter,

Lord John Russell

reported, that the managers had met the Lords at the free Conference, which was managed on the part of the Lords, by the Earl of Ripon, who acquainted them that the Lords adhere to their amendment in press 5, line 25; because the Municipal Corporations Act, not having provided that a fresh election should take place in the event of an equality of votes, the Lords consider that it would be in accordance with the principle of that Act, which this Bill is intended to amend, to meet the difficulty arising from an equality of votes, in the manner in which it is met under the provisions of that Act, namely, by the casting vote of the person presiding at the election. That the Lords likewise adhere to the insertion of Clause (L); because they are of opinion that the inconvenience arising from the placing of the Charitable Trusts under the management of the Lord Chancellor would be much greater than that of allowing them to remain until the end of the next Session, or until Parliament shall otherwise provide, in the hands of the persons in whom both Houses of Parliament concurred, in continuing them by the Act of last year. That the Lords observe, that it has not appeared that any practical injury has arisen from the disposition with respect to these trusts, made with the concurrence of both Houses in the course of last Session, but the Lords are, nevertheless, anxiously desirous that the management of these charitable funds should be placed upon a permanent and satisfactory footing, whereby the administration of charities, intended for the benefit of the poor, might, as far as possible, be divested of all party influence. That, thereupon, a discussion arose between the managers, on the part of the Commons, and the managers on the part of the Lords [for the proceedings of which, see Lords' debates—this day]; and that the managers on the part of the Lords, thereupon deliver back the Bill, and amendments to the managers of the Commons. It being quite clear, therefore, the noble Lord continued, that the two Houses can come to no agreement on these clauses, it is obvious that the best course for this House, is to postpone the further consideration of these amendments to this day three months. He moved, that the consideration of the amendments be postponed accordingly.

Amendment postponed.