The Solicitor General, in calling the attention of the House to the communication made by the Sergeant-at-Arms yesterday, as to what course he should adopt in an action of trespass brought against him as an Officer of the House, said he should not trouble the House at any length, as he did not anticipate any opposition to the Motion he was about to submit. He should pro- 383 pose to adopt the same course as that taken in a similar action in 1843. The House then, on the Motion of his hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General, gave leave to the Sergeant-at-Arms to appear and plead to the action. The plea was put on record, and a demurrer to it having been argued, the case now stood for judgment. He should therefore move (proceedings in the first case being still pending) that Sir W. Gossett should have leave to appear, and plead to the action.
Lord J. Russellsaid, that as the proposal was merely to follow the precedent of 1843, he should not occupy the time of the House in arguing the question. The House having then come to a decision on the question, he should not now re-open it, though he still retained his opinion as to the proper course to be adopted.
§ Resolved accordingly.