Lords Sitting of 28 March 1822

BOARD OF ADMIRALTY BILL.
Lord Melvillepresented a bill for reducing the quorum of lords of the admiralty from three to two. His lordship stated that this bill had become necessary, in consequence of the new commission nominating five lords of the admiralty, instead of seven, in compliance with the vote of the House of Commons the act in existence rendering it imperative for three or more to do any act. Had he been a member of the other House, he should certainly have opposed the reduction of the lords of the Admiralty to five, that number being insufficient for the due discharge of the business of the board, without the greatest inconvenience. Had the number been reduced to six, it would, he admitted, have been sufficient in time of peace; but certainly in a period; of war it would be found absolutely necessary to have seven. As it was, the present; limited number would be productive of great inconvenience. It was, at all events, essential to pass the present bill, making the quorum two instead of three, on account of the business which it would be necessary to transact at the outports by at least two of the lords, which left only three for the business in London, one of whom might frequently be unable to attend. He should not now go into the

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details for the purpose of shewing the great public inconvenience that would arise from reducing the number to five, but he was certain it would be found, that so far from being a measure of economy, it would produce a considerably increased expence.—His lordship presented the bill, which was read a first time.