§ MR. WRIGHTSONmoved for leave to bring in a Bill to alter and amend the Act 6th of Anne, c. 7, so far as related to the vacating of seats in Parliament on the acceptance of office. This Bill, which consisted of only one clause, had for its object to provide for those cases in which a Minister merely changed the office he held. He did not anticipate that any disposition existed to oppose the Bill in its present stage, and he therefore trusted the House would give him leave to introduce it.
Motion made and Question proposed "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Law concerning the vacating of Seats by Members of Parliament."
§ MR. FRENCHthought, that if the Government considered such a Bill necessary they ought to introduce and to carry it themselves, instead of leaving it to a private Member.
§ MR. HENLEYwould not oppose the bringing in of the Bill, but he reserved to himself the power of opposing it in any future stage. At present he did not see any advantage likely to arise from the Bill, for he thought it a very good thing 533 that a person changing the office he held should go to the country.
§ MR. WALPOLErecommended the hon. Member to consider how far it was possible that the exclusion of Members who held certain offices should be provided for.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONthought that this subject should be considered in Committee on the Bill.
§ On Question, agreed to.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Wrightson, Mr. Deedes, and Mr. Headlaw.
§ Bill presented, and read 1a.
§ House adjourned at a quarter-after eleven o'clock.