§ SIR EDWARD COLEBROOKEpresented a Petition from certain Electors of the Counties of Peebles and Selkirk, complaining that, at the last General Election, upwards of fifty of the voters; had a qualification of an "illusory character;" that arrangements were being made for largely increasing the same description of votes; and praying the House to afford a remedy. He begged to move that the Petition be read by the Clerk at the Table.
§ Petition read.
§ SIR GRAHAM MONTGOMERYsaid, that the 50th clause of the Corrupt Practices Act, passed last Session, stated that no Return of a Member to Parliament should be questioned except in accordance with the provisions of that Act. He would therefore beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman in the Chair, Whether it is competent for any hon. Member to present such a Petition; the time for presenting Election Petitions being limited by the 50th section of the Corrupt (Practices Act of last Session? He wished; therefore to know whether the Petitioners were not precluded by that Act from presenting this Petition?
§ MR. SPEAKERAs I understand it, the Petition is not one questioning the return of a Member. It merely sets forth a grievance which the Petitioners think requires the consideration of the House.