HC Deb 28 May 1850 vol 111 cc430-1
MAJOR BERESFORD

said, that he believed there could be no opposition to the Motion of which he had given notice, as there was not a single Order of the Day or a single Motion set down for Wednesday. Whether that was owing to the desire of hon. Members to enjoy the pleasure and recreation of the day, or from a prophetic fear that a House would not be made, he could not say, but this much was certain that, there being no business set down in the paper, they might fairly ask for a holiday. It would also be the 29th day of May, which was usually considered a holiday. So that upon every view of the matter he could see no reason for objection to the Motion. A right hon. Gentleman, who had been so constantly and indefatigably attentive to his duties as the Speaker, ought surely to be made certain that there would be no sitting upon the Wednesday. He had certainly well deserved a holiday from the House. For the last three years it had been regularly voted, and although upon those occasions the adjournment had been moved by more influential Members than he (Major Beresford) was, yet he trusted he would not be considered presumptuous in taking upon himself to move that the House at its rising should adjourn to Thursday.

MR. W. S. CRAWFORD

said, that he had always opposed the Motion. He did not think it creditable to the House to suspend public business for the purpose of attending a race upon the Derby day. He had, he was sorry to say, upon other occasions very inefficiently opposed the Motion. Upon the present, there being no business set down for Wednesday, he would not divide the House against it. But he wished to enter his protest against it. He believed the reason why no orders had been set down for the Derby day was, that it was considered a hopeless case to attempt to oppose the Motion.

MR. HUME

felt himself in the same situation as his hon. Friend. He had always opposed the Motion, and had always been in a minority. But as there was nothing on the paper for Wednesday he would have no objection to take a holiday himself.

MR. SLANEY

hoped his hon. Friend would always find himself in a minority upon similar occasions.

Motion agreed to.