§ Mr. Gisbornemoved that the proceedings before the late Nottingham Election Committee be printed.
The Earl of Lincoln.May 1 ask the hon. Member whether it is his intention to bring the petition under the consideration of the House?
§ Mr. Gisborne.Undoubtedly, I have given a notice to that effect. Will the noble Lord allow me to ask a question of him in return? Had the noble Lord any connexion with the proceedings before the committee which lately inquired into the allegations made against the return for Nottingham on the late occasion.
The Earl of Lincoln.Sir, I am aware that 1 should be fully justified, and should, perhaps, better fulfil my duty as a Member of this House, if I declined to be catechised by the hon. Member and declined to answer a question that must be considered extraordinary and unusual. Sir, I am not only not ashamed, but I am fully prepared to defend the part which I have taken in any election, not only at Nottingham, but in any one in which 1 have been concerned. If the hon. Gentleman is inclined to go through a series of questions, and will concede to me the same privilege, and will promise me that he will give a fair and impartial answer to every question I propound to him, as far as I am concerned, 1 am perfectly prepared to go through the ordeal. Sir, I will state at once that the Conservative electors of Nottingham did call upon me for advice after the termination of the last election. Ever since I entered upon public life, they have done me the honour to place great reliance upon my opinion, and have 1323 frequently been guided by my advice. After the late election they solicited my advice, and having represented to me that the election had been obtained by unlawful means, I did advise them to present a petition against the hon Gentleman's return, and to prosecute it before the House— and further, it was upon my advice that the legal assistance was retained.
§ Motion agreed to.