HL Deb 05 August 1807 vol 9 cc1060-1
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The order of the day being read for taking into consideration one of the standing orders of the house,

Lord Holland

moved that the order for regulating the time of delivering in protests be read; which being read accordingly, his lordship observed that much inconvenience often arose from the early hour at which it was necessary to deliver in protests (at two o'clock p.m. after the debate.) A protest had been entered this day against a proceeding, which took place yesterday (the rejection of the offices in reversion bill), and the hurry with which it was drawn up, made him desirous to make a few alterations in it; with that view he should now move, that time be allowed till he sitting of the house to-morrow, to alter two passages in the second reason of the protest delivered in this day

The Lord Chancellor

reminded the house, that this was an old established order, and that it had been uniformly observed with great strictness. It would therefore be for their lordships to consider whether it was necessary to dispense with it on the present occasion, where it was scarcely possible to add to the force of the reasons, and to the strength of the expressions which already marked this protest.— On the question being put, it was negatived without a division.

Lord Holland

had then only to say, that the time, he hoped, would come, not only when the reasons against such a proceeding might be fully expressed, but when the measure itself would be renewed, and carried, to the great satisfaction of the country.— Upon the rejection of this motion, the following protest was entered.

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Dissentient, because the protesting lords might be anxious to assign as a reason against the rejection of the bill, the assurances which were held out to the public, that the late dissolution of parliament was not suggested by his majesty's advisers for the purpose, nor should in its consequences have the effect of frustrating, or even interrupting the benefits likely to arise from the labours of the committee of finance. Assurances which in our opinion have been violated by the sudden and unexpected rejection of the bill.— (Signed)Vassall Holland, Lauderdale, Cowper, Wentworth Fitzwilliam, Ponsonby, (Imohilly.)"