§ The Marquis of Downshire moved that the Order of the Day, for the second reading of the Irish Bog Drainage Bill be read for the purpose of being postponed.
§ A short conversation took place, with respect to the propriety of withdrawing the Bill altogether for the present Session, on account of the impossibility of rendering it an effectual and palatable measure before Parliament broke up; in the course of which,
The Earl of Darnleytook occasion to 1347 observe, that their Lordships were placed in a very difficult situation, not only with respect to this Bill, but with reference to many other important measures. By some means or other the public business was most unaccountably delayed. He saw by the votes of the House of Commons, that last night nearly l00 subjects were debated. There were on that paper ninety-six items, forty-two of which were debated after twelve o'clock at night. The consequence was, that the business came before that House at a very late period of the Session, and could not be properly considered. This was contrary to the dignity of their Lordships, and the interests of the realm. He had pointed out the inconvenience over and over again, and he hoped that some mode would be adopted to prevent the evil in future.
§ Lord Wharncliffesaid, that the manner in which the business was regulated was fraught with inconvenience. He felt as great a respect for the privileges of the other House as any man could feel, but he must say that the doctrine which was held relative to money-clauses in bills had latterly been carried to an extreme point. The Commons insisted, that a clause in bills imposing penalties was a money-clause, because possibly money might be levied under it. He, however, was at a loss to know how such a clause could be so interpreted. The result was, that no bill, with a clause imposing a. money penalty, could originate in that House, although it was a place peculiarly fit for the consideration of measures connected with penalties; for instance, bills for the regulation of police, or bills for the regulation of law proceedings. The consequence of this system was, that all such bills began in the Commons, who were overlaid with business, and hundreds of accumulated orders. Ultimately, the bills were sent up to that House at a period of the Session when it was utterly impossible for the House to consider them properly. This matter struck him very forcibly, and he had some communication with the Members of the House of Commons on the subject, and he was glad to say, that a general feeling did exist, that the Commons had carried the point to which he had adverted too far. He now gave notice that it was his intention to bring this subject forward, in some shape or other, at a future day, in order that their Lordships might inquire whether a practice which was productive of so much delay should be persevered in.
§ The Bill to be read a second time on Tuesday next.