The Marquess of Westminstersaid, that their Lordships would probably recollect, towards the close of last Session of Parliament, he stated it to be his intention, early during the present Session, of bringing under the consideration of the House a motion relating to their Lordships' proxies—whether or not it would be advisable to make an alteration in the practice which had long prevailed upon that subject. He believed the topic had never been brought before the House, except accidentally, since the year 1816. With a view of redeeming his pledge, he now begged to give notice, that he should, on Thursday next, submit such a motion to the House as that to which he had made allusion. He was desirous of taking that opportunity of asking a noble Lord, whom he saw opposite, and who last Session brought the subject relating to the removal of the disabilities affecting the Jews before the House, whether he should again, during the present Session, submit a similar measure for the adoption of their Lordships?
Lord Ellenboroughhoped, that the noble Marquess would not bring under the consideration of the House, on Thursday next, that Motion which he had just named. That was much too early a day, espe- 991 cially with so short a notice, to submit a Motion upon a subject which so nearly affected the interests and privileges of the House. He knew that several noble Lords who were now absent, were anxious to be present when the subject was introduced, and they could not possibly be in attendance so soon as the day named. He, therefore, hoped the noble Marquess would not, for two or three weeks, at least, bring the Motion in question forward.
§ Lord Bexleywas not prepared, after what had occurred in relation to the subject of the Jews, in that and the other House, to take up again that measure of relief to which the noble Marquess had called his attention.
The Marquess of Westminsterhaving given notice, towards the conclusion of last Session, of his intention to submit a Motion relating to proxies, at an early period during the present Session, felt bound to redeem his pledge, and had thus early come forward; but, at the same time, he should have no objection to postpone the Motion until after the Easter recess, if it were likely to be attended with inconvenience to any of their Lordships to discuss it at an earlier period.
The Lord Chancellorsaid, in reference to the subject which had been incidentally introduced—he meant that which was connected with the disabilities affecting the Jews—he rose to offer a very few words. No person could feel more strongly than he did upon that subject; but he would throw out for the consideration of his noble friend, whether it did not tend to retard the success of a measure to make it the subject of a yearly Motion. He had generally observed, that the tendency of such yearly Motions was to slacken the interest which Parliament and the country might feel in it. He believed, that the great question of Parliamentary Reform had been retarded by such a course, and that such was the case also with another great question—Catholic emancipation. Those questions might have lasted for years, had not the habit of yearly bringing them forward been suspended. As he had before said, no man felt more strongly than he did, in favour of the measure for relieving the Jews, but he was quite convinced, by making it a yearly question, his noble friend would lessen the chances of its success.
§ The subject was dropped.