HC Deb 15 April 1863 vol 170 cc167-8
MR. SPEAKER

acquainted the House, that he had this day received a Letter from Alexander M'Cann, of Lisburn, purporting to be written on behalf of William John Knox and Moses Bullick, the Petitioners complaining of an undue Election and Return for the Borough of Lisburn, and together therewith a Notice, dated the 24th day of March 1863, and signed by the said Petitioners, stating that it is not their intention to proceed with the said Petition.

MR. SPEAKER

further acquainted the House, that on the 27th day of March last he received a Paper signed by the same Petitioners, and dated the same 24th day of March, stating that they had previously signed a Document which had been produced to them by the said Alexander M'Cann, purporting to be a withdrawal of the said Petition, but that they disclaimed any knowledge of the contents, nature, or effect of the said Document, or any intention to withdraw the said Petition.

Letter and Documents read.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

said, that with reference to either one or the other of those documents there had been unfair practice, but it was impossible for the House then to know against whom a charge ought ultimately to be made. He should therefore move that the documents be taken into consideration on the following day and be printed.

MR. E. P. BOUVERIE

observed, that there was an allegation of fraud made by the petitioners, who said that they had been induced to sign a letter withdrawing their Petition in ignorance of the purport of that letter. If that, allegation were true, no doubt there had been a breach of privilege; but the House was not at that moment in a position to pronounce an opinion on that point, and he should have thought that the proper course for Messrs. Knox and Bullick would have been to present a Petition stating their case. If the House were in possession of these allegations in the shape of a Petition, it might direct an inquiry into the circumstances. It was quite true, that when the letters were printed, an inquiry might be directed; but he thought the course which he suggested would be more in accordance with the precedents and practice of the House. That course had been adopted by a petitioner named Scully, who had complained of the undue withdrawal of his Petition.

Ordered, That the said Letter and Documents be taken into consideration To-morrow, and be printed.