§ The Earl of Shaftesbury laid on the table the report of the committee appointed to inquire into precedents relative to the enforcement of the attendance of peers during great and solemn occasions.
§ The report was read by the clerk as follows:
§ "The committee have met, searched the Journals, and found the precedents annexed to this report; and the committee are of opinion, that, if the House think fit, the following resolutions should be agreed to:—
§ "1. Resolved, That no lord do absent himself, on pain of incurring a fine of 100l. for each day's absence pending the three first days of such proceedings, and of 50l. for each subsequent day's absence from the same; and in default of payment 588 of any and every such fine, of being taken into custody.—2. That no excuses be admitted, save disability from age, viz., being of the age of 70 years and upwards, or from sickness, or having been out of the realm in foreign parts on the 10th July inst., being the day on which the order for the second reading of the said bill was made, and continuing out of the same; or out of Great Britain on his majesty's service, or on account of the death of a parent, wife, or child—3. That every peer absenting himself from age or sickness do address a letter to the lord-chancellor, stating, upon his honour, that he is so disabled.—4. That the lord chancellor do write a letter to the several peers and prelates of the House in the following terms; and that a copy of the said resolutions do accompany the same:—'My lord,—I am commanded by the House of Lords to acquaint you, that the House expects your lordships attendance upon the second reading of the bill, entitled An Act to deprive her majesty, & c, on Thursday the 17th day of August next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon; and that it is the further order of the House that no lord shall absent himself from the service of the House upon the second reading of the said bill, or on any of the subsequent proceedings of the House upon the same, without the leave of the House, upon pain of incurring the displeasure of the House.—P. S. I am also directed by the House to send your lordship the resolutions.'—5. That the committee have been attended by the surveyor-general of the board of works, and. by John Soane, esq., architect to this House, and have inquired of them as to the additional accommodation that could be provided for the number of peers who may attend this House upon the proceedings on the said bill; and it is the opinion of this committee 'That an humble address be presented to his majesty, to request that his majesty will be graciously pleased to give directions that a gallery be erected within the House for the accommodation of the peers who may attend this House upon the proceedings on the said bill; and that a space be railed off below the bar for the accommodation of the counsel, agents, solicitors, witnesses, and others, whose attendance may be necessary on the said bill.'"
§ The resolutions were agreed to.