§ Viscount Palmerstonappeared at the Bar, and reported from the Committee on the Lynn and Ely Railway Bill, that Mr. Wyse and Mr. Berkeley were not present that morning for one 1055 hour after the time fixed for the meeting of the Committee; that in half an hour after they attended; but that the Committee had not suffered any inconvenience from their temporary absence.
§ Lord G. Somersetsaid, that as this was the first instance of non-attendance, and as they were then commencing a new system, he did not wish to take any notice of the circumstance; but in future he should take steps to enforce attendance, in which he hoped the House would support him, by moving that Members who should be absent without sufficient cause should be taken into the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
§ Mr. Wysewas understood to say, that his absence was accidental, and to express a hope that it might be passed over.
Mr. H. Berkeleysaid, that having many other things to occupy his mind, he had altogether forgotten the hour of attendance. He suggested that when Members were named on a Private Bill, they should have a note sent to them reminding them of the hour.
§ Lord G. Somersethad no objection to adopt that suggestion, but in the present case the hour of attendance was mentioned in the Votes of Saturday.
§ Subject dropped.
§ After a short time,
§ Mr. Barnebyappeared at the Bar, and reported from the Barnesley Junction Railway Committee, that from the time fixed for the meeting of the Committee, Mr. Joseph Somes was not in attendance for one hour; that in half an hour after that time he attended, and stated that his absence arose wholly from his having made a mistake as to the hour; and that the Committee had not suffered any inconvenience from his temporary absence.