HL Deb 02 July 1811 vol 20 cc783-4
The Earl of Suffolk

rose to make two motions on this subject; previous to which he adverted to what he had said before on the subject, and defended most of the observations he then made respecting Greenwich Hospital. He would never submit to be charged with mockery and mummery, for shewing the enormity of a Proctor's Bill. He had been told that it was not the clerk's business to assist him in unrolling that long bill; but he considered the clerk as the servant of their lordships generally, and not solely of the noble and learned lord on the woolsack.—The noble earl went through a variety of particulars respecting the general subject, and appealed to a memorial sent eleven years ago, by Sir Alexander Cochrane, complaining of the practice of employing one sole proctor in causes and frequently in appeals. The Appeals in that House, in 1810, were two hundred and nine, and only four judgments were given. This was contrary to those true principles of the constitution he had learned, and hoped to hand down. It was contrary to the provisions of Magna Charta. He then moved for sundry accounts of Prize Money paid and due; and another motion for the number of Appeals at the beginning of the present session, with the number of judgments thereon, and the number of those withdrawn, distinguishing such as come from England, Scotland, or Ireland. He expressed his intention of following up those motions, if agreed to, in the course of the next session.

The motions were then put, and carried nem. dis.