§ MR. BRADY moved, "That Viscount Goderich be discharged from further attendance on the Select Committee on the petition of William Henry Barber; that Mr. Caird be added to the Committee." The hon. Member said, the necessity for this Motion arose from domestic affliction.
§ MR. HARDYobjected to the Motion. The inquiry being of a quasi-judicial character, he thought it very undesirable to make this alteration. He had no objection to the hon. Member (Mr. Caird).
§ MR. LINDSAYdid not see why, when a vacancy had arisen, the number fixed by the House—namely, fourteen—should not be made up.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERobjected to a debate on the subject at that late hour (a quarter past one). He moved the adjournment of the debate.
MR. WILSONsaid, the filling up of the number would certainly not be unprecedented. He was himself opposed to the appointment of the Committee, thinking the inquiry one of the worst that had ever been instituted. As, however, the inquiry had been granted, he saw no objection on principle to the Motion before the House.
§ MR. WALPOLEsaid, the Committee had been carefully struck, and it was undesirable to disturb the proportions.
§ Motion made and Question put, "That the debate be now adjourned."
§ The House divided:—Ayes 51; Noes 41: Majority 10.
§ Debate adjourned till To-morrow.
§ House adjoured at half-past One o'clock.