HC Deb 27 May 1841 vol 58 cc888-9

On the motion of Lord John Russell, leave was given to bring in a bill for the prevention of Bribery at elections.

Mr. Williams Wynn,

begged to know whether any Member of the Committee on the St. Alban's election petition intended to propose measures for the prosecution and punishment of the gross bribery which had been sworn to have taken place at that election. It appeared to him that the House would be disgraced if such proceedings were not punished

Mr. Mildmay

said, it was the feeling of the Committee that no Gentleman did intend to propose measures on the subject, and the reason was, that they had heard only the evidence on one side, and no opportunity was given to the other side to contradict it, in consequence of the counsel giving up the case.

Mr. W. Wynn

thought the charge had been sufficiently established to form the ground of a prosecution. He begged to give notice that he should bring the matter forward on the first open day on which he could do so without interfering with the adjourned debate.

Mr. Mildmay

begged to repeat that the evidence was not satisfactory. It was ex parte, and there was no opportunity given to the party accused of contradicting it, One of the witnesses gave his evidence in a manner which would render him (Mr. Mildmay) very cautious in giving credence to it. However, he should be ready to support the tight hon. Gentleman in any measures for bringing parties really guilty to justice.

Mr. C. Buller

rose, but was prevented from speaking by loud cries of" Question "and "Chair."

The Speaker

said, that the right hon. Gentleman near him had put a question, which had been answered, and that there was now no question before the chair.

Lord J. Russell

moved, that the orders of the day be read,

Mr. C. Buller

said, if hon. Members would have heard him, he was going to ask a question. It was highly inconvenient that Gentlemen should make party speeches on one side of the House, and that there should be no opportunity of answering them. He begged to suggest that if the right hon. Gentleman should take up the case of St. Alban's, he should carry out his principle by adopting proceedings against the people of Walsall.

Mr. W. Wynn

had read the evidence of the Walsall Committee, but he did not think it contained anything to justify such proceedings. But wherever bribery could be proved, he thought the House of Commons, as the grand inquest of the nation, ought not to let it go unpunished.