HC Deb 03 August 1857 vol 147 cc993-4

MR. HAYTER moved that a new writ be issued for the election of two Burgesses for the borough of Great Yarmouth, in the room of William Torrens M'Cullagh, Esq., and Edward William Watkin, Esq., whose election had been declared to be void.

Motion made, and Question proposed,— That Mr. Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new writ for the electing of two Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Great Yarmouth, in the room of William Torrens M'Cullngh, esquire, and Edward William Watkin, esquire, whose elections have been determined to be void.

MR. BENTINCK

said, the hon. Member for Hereford had moved that the evidence before the Committee be printed. He thought that afforded him sufficient ground for moving that the Writ be suspended till the evidence be in the hands of hon. Members.

Amendment proposed,— To leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words, "the issue of the new writ for the borough of Great Yarmouth be suspended until after the minutes of evidence taken before the Committee be printed," instead thereof.

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

MR. HAYTER

said, it did not follow that because a Member of the Committee had moved that the Report of the Committee be printed that the Writ should be suspended. What the House had to look to was the Report of the Committee. That Report was that there were three instances of bribery and two instances where promises of money had been made. It was not proved to the Committee that the bribery was with the knowledge of the Members.

COLONEL CLIFFORD

said, he was authorised by the Committee to say that they would not support a Motion that the Writ be suspended.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Main Question put, and agreed to.

Ordered,— That Mr. Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new writ for the electing of two Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Great Yarmouth, in the room of William Torrens M'Cullagh, esquire, and Edward William Watkin, esquire, whose Elections have been determined to be void.

Notice taken, that Forty Members were not present; House counted; and Forty Members not being present,

House was adjourned at half after Two o'clock.