§ MR. HORSMANsaid, it had been suggested by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the University of Oxford that when he moved the appointment of the Committee in the case of the institution of the Rev. Mr. Bennett to the vicarage of Frome, it would be proper to lay on the table the heads of his allegations; and the right hon. Gentleman added that he could show that this was according to precedent. At the moment he could not give the right hon. Gentleman an answer; but he had since considered the matter, and he was prepared now to say that if the right hon. Gentleman could satisfy the House that what he proposed was in conformity with precedent, he would bow to the wish of the House, and comply with his suggestion. He begged to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he would allow him to nominate the Committee either in the morning sitting of Monday, or at the afternoon sitting, because otherwise it would not come on till after the other orders, when it was doubtful if it could be nominated; and at that late period of the Session it was desirable that no time should be lost?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERwould be extremely glad if he could facilitate the inquiry that had been ordered by the House; and if he could learn from the hon. Gentleman then, or in the course of the evening, that there was any prospect of proposing a Committee, the nomination of which would not lead to a protracted discussion, he would certainly do what he could to suit his wishes. At present he could not take upon himself the responsibility of allowing a question, which would apparently lead to a long discussion, to interfere with the progress of public business. Both the morning and evening sittings were at the present moment ap- 530 portioned to very important business; and although he was ready to accede to the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman, provided he was assured that there would be no delay, still until there was some assurance or certainty of such a result, he could not take the responsibility of permitting the nomination of a Committee which would unduly retard the public business.