§ MR. SPEAKERacquainted the House that he had received a Letter from John Ramsay, 55 esquire, the Member returned for the Falkirk District of Burghs, which Letter Mr. Speaker read to the House as followeth:—
§ 140, Path Street, Glasgow,
§ >17th March, 1874.
§ Sir,—I take leave respectfully to explain that at the late General Election I had the honour of being returned to serve in Parliament as Member for the Falkirk District of Burghs.
§ I have recently, hew ever, been made aware of a disqualification which appears to have attached to me at the date of my Election from my having then hold four sixty-fourth shares in a steam vessel, the owners of which were under an agreement with the Postmaster General for the conveyance of Her Majesty's Hails to and from the Island of May, in consideration of an annual allowance of £150.
§ The proportion of that allowance which accrued to me was only £9 7s. 6d, and although I have been formally released from that agreement, and have censed to have any share or interest in that vessel, still I am advised that under the provisions of the Act 22nd George III. cap. 45, I was, at the date of my Election, disqualified, that the Election is void, and that I on thus precluded from taking the oaths and my seat.
§ In these circumstances I have lost no time in bringing the matter under your consideration, and I have respectfully to request that yon will be pleased to submit this communication to the House of Commons at your early convenience. I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient Servant,
§ JOHN RAMSAY.
§ The Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Commons, London.