HL Deb 12 May 1835 vol 27 cc1016-7
Viscount Duncannon

asked when the right reverend Prelate (the Bishop of Exeter) would present the petition of which he had given notice relative to the charges against some of the Irish Commissioners of Public Instruction?

The Bishop of Exeter

answered, that it was not his intention to present the petition alluded to until Government laid before their Lordships the Report of the Commissioners of Public Instruction. He had hoped that a Report from that Commission would have been made by this time, and as he did not think that the Report of the Commissioners could be much longer delayed, he should abstain at present from bringing the subject before their Lordships. Having waited so long, it seemed to him that more justice would be done to the case by waiting a little longer for the production of the Report of the Commissioners.

Viscount Duncannon

said, that the two Commissioners were now in this country, and he hoped that no delay would occur in bringing the matter forward. The Commissioners were most anxious to meet the charges, so that he hoped they would be brought forward at once without reference to the Report which he could not think affected them.

The Bishop of Exeter

said, that the noble Lord must forgive him if he did not assent to the last statement. The charges he had to bring forward had much to do with the Report. The conduct of the Commissioners in executing the Commission was in question, and it was exceedingly proper to see what their conduct had been at the time, and how it had been followed up by the Report. Adhering to the course which he thought was most important to justice, he should wait till the Report was presented before he brought forward the charges.

Viscount Duncannon

remarked, that the Report could not affect the case, for the charge was only against two of the Commissioners, with reference to five parishes, and above seven hundred parishes had been examined into.

The Bishop of Exeter

was confident in the propriety of the course he had determined to pursue. The Report was promised to be presented at an early day, and when that was done he should bring forward the complaint.