HC Deb 11 February 1842 vol 60 c295
Lord John Russell

begged to inquire of the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what course he proposed to take with reference to the motion of which he had given notice, upon the subject of the Exchequer Bill fraud. That notice at present stood for Tuesday. Was it intended that the appointment should be persevered in, to the exclusion of the debate upon the Corn-laws, which, no doubt, would extend over that evening; or would the right hon. Gentleman give way, and bring on his motion on a subsequent evening?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, that he was entirely in the hands of the House. He was perfectly ready to proceed with the motion on Tuesday; but if it was thought preferable that the debate on the Corn-laws should take precedence of it on that day, he would postpone it until Thursday.

Mr. F. T. Baring

said, that great anxiety prevailed in the public mind upon the character and result of this motion, and he thought that it was highly desirable that some intimation of what was proposed to be done by the right hon. Gentleman should be given. At present, the notice of the right hon. Gentleman was merely that he should call the attention of the House to the subject.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, that there were several reasons which induced him to think that the better course would be, to introduce the whole subject to the House at once, rather than make any statement before hand, which might create excitement in the public mind. He might at once give notice that he would bring forward his motion on Thursday instead of on Tuesday.