§ MR. WATKINrose to postpone the following Motion, of which he had given notice:—
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that She will be graciously pleased to issue a Royal Commission directed to the investigation of the causes which have led to the late severe and protracted pressure in the money market, and to the continuance, for a long period, of a minimum rate of discount of 10 per cent at the Bank of England; and also to investigate the Laws at present affecting Currency and Banking in the United Kingdom, and to report further what (if any) alterations have become expedient therein; and, further, that it be an Instruction to the Commissioners to present their Report and the Evidence taken by them on or before the 1st February, 1867.He said he was placed in rather an awkward position. He had promised to give way for his right hon. Friend the Member for Stroud, who had a notice relative to Austria on the Paper, and at that late hour (quarter past twelve o'clock), he (Mr. Watkin) did not feel himself justified in bringing on his Motion. He had appealed to the Government to assist him, but they had told him he could put it down on the Motion for Supply on Monday. He then asked for a morning sitting on Monday, but he had been refused.
§ MR. WALPOLEsaid, there were already two morning sittings appointed—namely, Tuesday and Friday. He thought the hon. Gentleman would have no difficulty in bringing forward his Motion on Monday.