§ LORD MONTEAGLE, pursuant to notice, asked "whether it be the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill during 1367 the present Session for effecting changes in the constitution of Australia? Whether, in the event that such is the intention of the Secretary of State, despatches or other papers will be laid before Parliament, showing whether such constitutional changes have been submitted to the Legislative Council, and made known to Her Majesty's subjects in Australia?"
§ EARL GREYaaid, it was intended to introduce such a measure. The papers on the subject had already been laid on the table of the other House of Parliament, in compliance with an address to the Crown; and the Government had reason to believe that the contemplated Bill would meet with the views of the people of Australia, He had endeavoured to induce the House of Commons to relax the rule which prevented his introducing the Bill in their Lordships' House; but his efforts were wholly unsuccessful, otherwise that Bill would now be before their Lordships. But it was not deemed prudent to bring it in at the present moment in the other House, in consequence of the pressure of business.
§ LORD MONTEAGLEsaid, that under those circumstances he hoped his noble Friend would produce, as soon as possible, the papers which had been laid before the other House.
§ House adjourned to Thursday next.