Lords Sitting of 25 February 1824

GAME LAWS.
Earl Grosvenorwished to say a few words on the subject of the Game Laws, to which their lordship's attention had already been called. Some noble lords might perhaps be desirous of hearing evidence to form a ground for any bill Which might come before them, and for that purpose propose the appointment of a committee to examine witnesses. Their lordships must, however, be aware, that they had before them a report of the committee of the House of Commons, which was printed, and might be consulted at their pleasure. He undoubtedly thought that report quite sufficient to justify their lordships in coming to a determination on the measure. The evidence taken before the House of Commons was extremely full and satisfactory. If their lordships were to travel from one end of the country to the other, they would find in every market-town proof of the truth of the allegation in that report, that game was every where to be purchased. The sale, in fact, could not be prevented: and it appeared to him, that if the bill for legalising it should pass into a law, it would not have the effect of lessening the quantity of game, as some supposed, but the contrary; for, if the game were permitted to be brought openly into the public markets, the reduction which would take place in the price would diminish the temptation to any illegal mode of procuring it. For the reasons he had stated, he should not move for the appointment of a committee. Indeed, he thought all further evidence unnecessary.
The Earl of Darnleyconcurred in the propriety of making game property, and

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of legalising its sale; but lie could not agree with his noble friend in thinking, that their lordships' House ought to take for granted all that appeared on the subject of the game laws in the report of the House of Commons. As their lordships had the power of examining on oath, he wished his noble friend to consider, whether it would not be advisable to institute an inquiry in that manner, and to see whether the examination before their lordships would bear out all that was stated in the report of the other House. This he thought would be more satisfactory than leaving the matter as it now stood. He would wish his noble friend to consider, whether it would not be better to have evidence at the first, than at the second hand; and this was an advantage which could only be gained by moving for a committee.