§ Lord Wharncliffepresented a petition from Benjamin Ellison, praying for compensation in case the Mines and Collieries Bill should pass.
The Marquess of Normanbywould take advantage of that opportunity to defend the appointments of the sub-commissioners, which had been impugned. He thought that it was proper that the precedent set with respect to the New Poor-law should be followed, and the evidence not taken on oath. As to the evidence he believed it had been taken fairly. As to the bill, he said, in its present state, he believed it would give satisfaction, and hoped soon to see it receive the sanction of their Lordships.
The Marquess of Londonderrycomplained of the digest of the report; it was very unfair; and as to the appointments of the sub-commissioners, he conceived them to be very improper.
Lord Campbellsaid, the petition being for a grant of money, it could not be received without the sanction of the Crown. As to the objection that the evidence taken by the commissioners not being on oath, it was a doubtful point whether under a commission issued by the Crown, parties could be examined on oath.
The Marquess of Normanbydeclared that the noble Marquess (the Marquess of Londonderry) had not given an accurate description of the digest.
§ Adjourned.