HL Deb 31 January 1850 vol 108 cc6-7
The DUKE of RICHMOND

called attention to a great omission of their duty on the part of Ministers, with respect to the privileges of their Lordships, which might and ought to have been avoided. At pre-sent there were two vacancies in the representative Peers of Scotland, in consequence of the deaths of the Earl of Airlie and of Lord Colville. Although the Act of Parliament directed that the proclamation should issue forthwith for the election of representative Peers to fill up any vacancies which might occur, by death or otherwise, no such proclamation had yet taken place in the case of the two vacancies he had just mentioned, and the consequence was, that for twenty-four days after the meeting of Parliament it was not possible for any Scotch representative Peers to be elected. The Peerage of Scotland was not therefore represented in Parliament at present as it ought to be. He wanted to know what his noble Friend the President of the Council had to urge in defence of this omission; for certain it was that the Act of Parliament had not been obeyed?

The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNE

said, that the Government were not to blame for the omission, as they had not received any requisition from the usual quarter; they had strictly followed the previous usage.

The EARL of EGLINTON

said, the explanation of the noble Marquess was unsatisfactory. The clause in 5 & 6 Anne, c. 8, directed what should be done in the case of vacancies by death, and the words could not well be misunderstood. The Government could not be ignorant of the existence of the vacancies, for they had appointed a new Lord Lieutenant for Forfarshire, in the room of Lord Airlie, and promotions had taken place in the Navy in consequence of the death of Lord Colville.

The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNE

contended that no blame was due to Ministers, who had strictly observed existing precedents, and had no official intelligence of these vacancies.

The DUKE of BUCCLEUCH

took a different view of the subject, and said that, owing to the neglect of Ministers, it could not be said that the Scotch Peers were properly represented at that moment in the House of Lords.

LORD STANLEY

said, he could very readily acquit the noble Marquess of all intentional fault; but thought the Government ought to have issued the proclamation immediately. He hoped that the notice which the noble Duke had taken of the omission would prevent similar delay in future.

Subject at an end.