Mr. C. Wynnstated, that in consequence of what had passed in the house on Friday last, he thought the subject which had been then alluded to was of a nature that required that parliament should express its opinion upon it. He rather wished that the business should have been taken up by some member of greater experience. He, however, felt so strongly convinced of the necessity of some Resolution, that he should, without losing any time, give notice, that it was his intention to move a Resolution, "That it was consistent with the duty and privileges of that house, to come to a determination on Evidence examined at their bar, without submitting the case to any other tribunal." Although this question had no necessary bearing upon the subject which was to be discussed next week, yet as it might have a collateral and indirect bearing, he wished to defer moving that Resolution, until the house should come to a decision on the question. He hoped the great importance of the subject would excuse him to the house, for giving this notice in a more detailed form than was usual.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerthought, that it would be a fairer way to have this Resolution brought forward before the discussion, in order that the matter might be put at rest, and that there might not be a suspicion suspended over the head of his royal highness that, in writing that letter, 1140 he had acted contrary to the privileges of that house. Although he did not wish to multiply discussions upon this subject, yet he was persuaded that this was a matter which could be easily explained.
Mr. Bathurstagreed perfectly with what had fallen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. If there had been any violation of the privileges of that house, the common course was, that complaints of breach of privilege took precedence of all other discussions. When the consideration and rank of the party accused were taken into the account, he thought, however, a great deal of latitude and indulgence should be allowed. For these reasons, as well as those which had been stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer—
The Speakerhere interfered, and stated, that it was contrary to the usage of the house to enter into any discussion on notices given. There was, perhaps, some little irregularity in introducing a notice with observations, but there never could be discussion upon a mere notice of a motion to be made on a future day.
§ The motion was then fixed for Monday se'nnight.