HL Deb 10 August 1857 vol 147 cc1285-6
LORD MONTEAGLE

called the attention of their Lordships to the claim of the Earl of Carysfort to be admitted to vote at the election of Representative Peers for Ireland, praying that the Resolution of their Lordships, of the 3rd July last, might be deemed to apply to his claim, and that such claim might be referred to the Lord Chancellor, to consider and report thereon. He considered that where a Peer had established his claim of sitting and voting in their Lordships' House, the same evidence should be held sufficient and the same procedure be adopted in the case of proof of a right of voting for a Representative Peer. The facts to be established were identical. The noble Lord concluded by moving, That the Petition of the Earl of Carysfort (presented on Thursday last) be referred to the Lord Chancellor, to consider and report thereon, as if it had come under the Standing Order of the 3rd July last.

LORD REDESDALE

said, they could not act upon that suggestion without contravening a Resolution which they had adopted in a full House, and after careful consideration. He did not say it was absolutely undesirable that the Resolution should be altered, but it appeared to him that, as the Resolution had been adopted when there was a full attendance of Irish Peers, such an alteration ought not to be made at a time when there was not a single Irish Peer in London.

LORD CAMPBELL

agreed with the noble Lord (Lord Monteagle) that the proper course would be, to alter, in due form, the words of the Standing Order.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

also agreed with the noble Lord, that the better course would be to alter the Resolution formerly agreed to. He thought there could be no necessity for postponing the matter to another Session of Parliament.

LORD REDESDALE

again expressed his opinion, that, as no Irish Peer was present, it would be better to postpone the question till next Session.

LORD MONTEAGLE

said, that, adopting the suggestion of the noble and learned Lord, he should now give notice that he would, to-morrow, move an alteration of the Standing Order, so as to meet the case.

Standing Order of the 3rd of July last, to be considered, in order to its being amended.

House adjourned, at a quarter to Seven o'clock, till To-morrow, halt-past Two o'clock.