HC Deb 24 April 1856 vol 141 cc1467-8
MR. HADFIELD

said, in the absence of his hon. Friend (Mr. Kershaw), he would beg to move an Address to Her Majesty for copies of recent correspondence relative to the consolidation of the law.

MR. THORNELY

seconded the Motion.

Motion made, and Question proposed— That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that She will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House, Copies of recent Correspondence between the Lord Chancellor and the Statute Law Commissioners, and Arthur Symonds, esquire, late Registrar of Metropolitan Buildings, tendering his services in consolidating the Law, and containing proposals for propounding, in detail, arrangements requisite for consolidating the Law in an uniform and effective manner; together with a 'Memorandum relative to the preparation and revision of Legislative Measures, especially with reference to the means of obviating or mitigating the failures to which at present they are subject,' and any other papers forming part of or referred to in the said Correspondence.

MR. WILSON

said, that though the gentleman in question had tendered his services gratuitously, he believed he expected to receive a large remuneration; and he thought that this Return, however gratifying to the gentleman's private feelings, was a matter on which the public ought not to be put to any expense.

SIR JOHN SHELLEY

said, that there was one point on which he wished to correct the Hon. Under Secretary for the Treasury, and that was as to this gentleman having offered his services gratuitously. He believed he had offered them gratuitously, but being in the receipt of a pension, he was anxious to do something for that pension. He thought the Government ought to publish the correspondence.

MR. BOWYER

said, he had seen in print a copy of the correspondence. He took it for granted that it had been published by Mr. Symonds himself; and that gentleman could not at present expect that the Government would print it for him.

MR. MALINS

said that the correspondence had been published, and that he had read it himself, and should decidedly oppose the Motion.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.