§ Mr. C. Bullercould not hope that the House would proceed to the discussion of the Controverted Elections Bill that evening, considering the subject which was now before it. Several Gentlemen had taken considerable interest in it; and recent circumstances had rendered it desirable that the House should solemnly and seriously discuss it. He should be sorry, 732 however, that any arrangement should be entered into with regard to this bill which would bring down hon. Gentlemen in the expectation of being present at a discussion upon this bill, and expose them to the disappointment of finding some other business before the House; and he therefore desired to see the discussion upon this bill fixed for some definitive period. If he (Mr. Buller) were not enabled to bring on his bill on Monday, he might not have it in his power to bring it on at all this Session, or, at all events, not before Easter.
§ Sir R. Peelthought, that this subject was of such importance, that her Majesty's Government might with great propriety fix some definitive day—say Friday next—for its discussion. There could be no more important question for discussion than that of the improvement of the mode of trial of Controverted Elections. But the subject could not be proceeded with without some preliminary discussion—the discussion, for instance, of that great preliminary question whether or not there would be any evil in the House of Commons parting with this jurisdiction. The importance of this subject could not be overrated.
§ Bill postponed.