§ Mr. Thomas Duncombe moved for the Survey of Church Lands, at present in the Library of Lambeth Palace. The document in question was one of very great importance in all inquiries on the subject to which it referred: it was deposited in Lambeth Palace about the time of the Restoration, by order of the House of Commons. He considered it was a public document belonging to the country; and that that House having originally ordered its removal to the place where it now was, had a right to demand it back again.
§ The Solicitor Generaladmitted the importance of the document in question, but expressed some doubt as to the right of that House to call for it. It was of very great importance in a legal point of view, in suits for tithes, moduses, &c.; but not many years ago, the Court of Chancery had decided, that extracts from it were to be received as evidence, so as to render its production in Court not necessary; and he understood, that there was every facility given on payment of a small fee, for the inspection of it, and if required for taking extracts from it.
§ Sir Robert Inglisopposed the motion; he denied the right of that House to demand the production of the document: in one point of view, they would be committing a great injustice in so doing; for the person in whose custody it now was received certain fees for its inspection. He had a vested interest in those fees, and that House had no just right to deprive him of it.
§ The Speakersaid, that, as Chairman of the Record Commission, he could assure the hon. Member for Finsbury, that they would use their influence to procure the production of the document referred to.
§ Mr. Thomas Duncombesaid, his only object was to get at the document; and, on that assurance, he would withdraw his motion.—Motion withdrawn.