Lords Sitting of 3 March 1835

MINUTES.
Petitions presented. By the Duke of BUCCLEUGH, from Langholme and Applegarth, Dumfries, and from Smallholm, Roxburghshire,—for additional Accommodation for Members of the Church of Scotland.

NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.
The Duke of Wellingtonsaid, that not having been in the House yesterday, he could not lay upon the Table the Report of the Committee of the Privy Council on the subject of the cause of the fire which had destroyed the two Houses of Parliament. He now begged leave to lay the Report before their Lordships. In the communication which his Majesty had made to both Houses, his Majesty stated that as soon as the misfortune occurred he had directed arrangements to be made for the temporary accommodation of the Members of both Houses, and that it would be the care of the Lords and Commons themselves to consider what would be the best means of providing for their own permanent accommodation, as that question could be best settled by themselves. The mode in which this matter was to be taken into consideration was by the appointment of Committees of the two Houses. It became his duty therefore, in obedience to the commands of his Majesty, to move "that a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration, and to report on, the best means of carrying into effect his Majesty's most gracious wishes, with reference to the rebuilding of the two Houses of Parliament." There must, of course, be a communication between the Committee of their Lordships, and that appointed by the other House, and the Measure finally agreed on, would require to be adopted by both Houses of Parliament.
Lord Broughamhad no doubt that it was intended that the temporary accom-
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modation for their Lordships should be as complete as possible; but he could not avoid noticing the very bad air which they were breathing. The air from the stoves was exceedingly unwholesome. The smell was like that which was experienced in a place newly painted. If this really were the cause, it was not only disagreeable, but positively unwholesome.
The Earl of Rosslynbelieved the House was at present heated by steam. He could not imagine how the unpleasant smell could be occasioned.
Committee appointed.

POOR LAWS (IRELAND).—PROVISION FOR THE CATHOLIC CLERGY.
The Marquess of Westminsterinquired whether it was the intention of the noble Duke to propose any Measure to Parliament with reference to the introduction of a system of poor laws into Ireland? He also wished to know whether the noble Duke meant to propose any provision for the support of the Roman Catholic Clergy of Ireland; and, if so, from what fund such provision was to be taken?
The Duke of Wellingtonsaid, that a Commission was at present employed in making inquiries with reference to the propriety and feasibility of introducing into Ireland a system of Laws for the relief of the poor in that portion of the Empire. Until that Commission made its Report, of course Government could do nothing on the subject. With respect to the second Question of the noble Marquess, he was not aware that it was intended to make any provision for the Roman Catholic Clergy, and therefore no Question could arise as to the fund out of which such a provision was to come.