HL Deb 02 August 1831 vol 5 cc584-5
The Earl of Aberdeen

said, that having, on a former occasion given notice, that he would bring forward a Motion for papers and documents relative to the events which had lately occurred in Portugal, and the noble Earl at the head of his Majesty's Government, having declared, that he did not mean to lay any papers on that subject on the Table at present, and having stated that the production of these papers, at present, would be mischievous to the public service, he would give notice, that it was not his intention to persevere in making that Motion. But there was another subject connected with Portugal, to the elucidation of which, the same objection did not apply—he alluded to the state of the Azores, and to the transactions which had recently taken place in these islands—and on Friday next he would bring that subject under the notice of the House?

Earl Grey

inquired, whether the noble Earl had any objection to state the nature of his intended Motion.

The Earl of Aberdeen

replied, that he would communicate the nature of the Motion to the noble Earl before he brought it forward.

The Lord Chancellor

observed, that when the noble Marquis (Londonderry) who had given notice of a Motion for papers on the subject of the Belgic Negotiations, had, at his request, courteously agreed to postpone his Motion till this day week, it was generally understood that there would be no business of any particular importance to come on this week, and with that persuasion several noble Lords had left town. He, therefore, suggested to the noble Earl, that it would be more convenient if he were to bring forward his Motion on Monday. At the same time, he had no personal wish on the subject.

The Earl of Aberdeen

thought the matter so urgent, that he had at once intended to name Thursday instead of Friday, and, therefore, he was very unwilling to postpone his Motion till Monday. But, at the same time, if Friday was a very inconvenient day, he would consent to name Monday as the day on which he would bring forward his Motion.