§ LORD BEAUMONTgave notice that he would, on an early day next week, move for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the burdens affecting real property.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, he wished to be allowed to suggest, respectfully, that the example set by the Committees of the two Houses of Parliament with respect to the railway business might be followed by Her Majesty's Government in the case of other Bills. The Committee to which he alluded had suggested that certain Railway Bills should be brought forward in the first instance in the House of Lords, and it would be most advantageous if some of the many measures of a general nature intended to be brought forward by Her Majesty's Government were also introduced in their Lordships' House. At present their Lordships generally met merely to adjourn; whereas towards the end of the Session they would have more business upon their hands than any length of sitting would enable them satisfactorily to get through.
§ The DUKE of WELLINGTONsaid, his noble and learned Friend (Lord Brougham) had made a somewhat similar suggestion on the previous evening, which he (the Duke of Wellington) had already laid before the proper authorities, and he would take care to treat the suggestion of the 518 noble and learned Lord with the same attention.
The LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he had already laid one Bill on the Table of the House, the second reading of which had been postponed for a few days, in order to afford time for considering its provisions. He had also a second Bill ready, namely, one for the management of Charities and Religious Trusts—a subject with which his noble Friend was fully cognizant; and he would lose no time in bringing it forward, so that his noble and learned Friend might have an opportunity of amusing himself in conning it over.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, if he were to sit up all night he could not read the number of Bills that were crowded on their Lordships' Table in the month of July. It was not, therefore, any wish for employment, but a feeling of the impossibility of properly getting through the business usually brought before their Lordships towards the close of the Session, that induced him to offer the suggestion.
The LORD CHANCELLORsaid, his noble and learned Friend knew well how to employ his leisure. He had lately favoured them with a book full of entertainment and instruction, by which he had greatly enhanced his own reputation, and conferred an important benefit on the community; and if be continued to devote his leisure hours to similar labours, the public would certainly not have much cause to regret his want of other employment.
§ House adjourned.