Lords Sitting of 7 March 1831

MINUTES.
Bills. The Transfer of Aid, the Consolidated Fund, and the Pensions Bills, were read a third time.
Petitions presented. Against Slavery, by the Earl of HARDWTCKE, the Marquis of DOWNSHIRE, and the Archbishop of YORK. Against Tithes, by Earl STANHOPE, from Wrotham:—By Lord KING, from various Parishes in Ireland. For Reform, by Earl RADNOR, from Windhill. For a Repeal of the Union, and for a Repeal of the Duty on Sugar made by free labour, by Lord FARNHAM. By Earl STANHOPE, from the Shipowners of South Shields, complaining of Distress.

MINISTERIAL PLAN OF REFORM.
Lord Wharncliffesaid, that when he gave notice of moving for Returns, with a view of calling the attention of their Lordships to the subject of Reform, he had no idea that the discussion on the question would be in the state that it now was in the other House, and he would therefore withdraw
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his notice for Thursday, and not name another day for the present, though he was fully determined not to let his object escape.
Earl Greysaid, he concurred fully in the propriety of the withdrawal of the notice, though he begged the noble Lord might lake his own time, as he. was always prepared to discuss the subject in any way that it could be fairly or regularly brought, before their Lordships.
The Duke of Sussex The Duke of Sussex, in presenting a Petition from Hammersmith, for Reform, and for the Vote by Ballot, said, that he was bound to declare, that the person who had waited on him with the petition had stated, that though they and those who had joined them were in favour of the Ballot, yet that opinion was not shared by the inhabitants in general. At the same time he thought it well to say, though he was not called on to declare what his sentiments were with respect to Ballot, that that proposition must be rendered more clear to him than it was at present, before he could be convinced of its utility. He could not lay this petition on the Table without congratulating his noble friend at the head of his Majesty's Government, and his colleagues, most heartily, at the manner in which they had brought the great question of Parliamentary Reform before the country, and he could only assure them, when it came to this House, the measure should have his full and cordial support.