HC Deb 10 March 1846 vol 84 cc928-9
MR. NEWDEGATE

rose to submit his Motion.

MR. AGLIONBY

protested against going into the discussion at so late an hour.

MR. NEWDEGATE

felt it imperative to bring the subject before the House, and if hon. Gentlemen objected to the proceedings at that time of the night, there might be an adjournment; but if not, having already done so much to meet the wishes of all parties, he would proceed— To move the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into an alleged organized and extensive system of fraudulent and vexatious Objections to the votes of a great number of duly qualified Electors for the Northern Division of Warwickshire, the Northern Division of Staffordshire, and certain Divisions of other Counties.

MR. C. BULLER

moved that the debate be adjourned.

SIR G. GREY

said, if the discussion were proceeded with, he should move as an Amendment, that the inquiry should be of a more general character.

SIR R. PEEL

recommended the hon. Member for North Warwickshire to adopt the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman (Sir G. Grey), and make the inquiry general. He thought such an inquiry, if conducted in a proper spirit, would be of great value; for if the House came to legislate upon the subject of the registration they would find great difficulty in proceeding without some such preliminary inquiry. If the House would then permit the hon. Gentleman to have a Committee to inquire into all interferences with the right of registration, the whole question would be opened. If there were abuses they ought to be inquired into. The Amendment of the right hon. Gentleman was for a Select Committee to inquire into the alleged facilities afforded for vexatious and fraudulent objections to votes by the present system of registration.

MR. NEWDEGATE

would adopt the Amendment of the right hon. Gentleman.

Original Motion withdrawn, and the following Motion adopted:— That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the alleged facilities afforded to vexatious and fraudulent objections and fraudulent claims, by the present system of Registration of County Voters for Members of Parliament.

House adjourned at a few minutes past One o'clock.