REPORT OF THE SERJEANT AT ARMS. (Hansard, 14 August 1879)

§ MR. SPEAKER
As there appears to be some misapprehension as to the powers of commitment exercised by this House, it is right that I should state that, although the prisoner in custody would be released immediately upon the Prorogation of Parliament, his offence would not be purged by his imprisonment. If in another Session this House shall determine that the prisoner has not undergone adequate punishment for his offence, he would be liable to further imprisonment at the pleasure of the House.

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
Sir, after the information which you have communicated to the House, I think our course is tolerably clear. As but a few hours of the Session remain, it will be impossible this Session to deal with the principal offence with which Charles Grissell is charged. That, I think, must remain for a future decision, if in a future Session any proposal shall be made with regard to it. But the House has also to remember that he has been guilty of a second offence against the House, inasmuch as he has evaded, by his conduct, the execution of Mr. Speaker's Warrant for bringing him to the Bar of the House; and I think that the proper course for the House to take, under present circumstances, will be to agree to that which I am about to propose—namely— That Charles Edmund Grissell, having evaded, until the close of the Session, the execution of Mr. Speaker's Warrant for taking him into the custody of the Serjeant at Arms, be committed to Her Majesty's Gaol of Newgate; and that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrants accordingly. That will only be an imprisonment for a few hours; but, still, it marks the sense of the House as to the conduct of this gentleman. I move that Resolution.

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON
It appears that, in the circumstances, there is scarcely any alternative but for us to take the course suggested by the 990 Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is certainly to be regretted that we should be driven to take this course, which is scarcely one conducive to the dignity of the proceedings of this House. It is, however, to a certain extent, satisfactory to learn that Mr. Grissell will not be purged of the offence he has committed by the short imprisonment he is about to undergo; but I cannot think that it is altogether a satisfactory or convenient course that we should be obliged to re-consider his case again at the beginning of a subsequent Session. There appears, however, to be no alternative course; and, therefore, I will give my cordial assent to the Motion.