HL Deb 28 June 1858 vol 151 cc479-81
THE LORD CHANCELLOR

here acquainted the House that Her Majesty had issued a Commission for giving Her Royal Assent to several Acts agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament.

The House adjourned during Pleasure, to robe.

THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE

shortly afterwards rose, and said that he doubted whether their Lordships' proceedings ought to be interrupted in this way, merely because the Royal Assent was to be given by Commission to certain Bills.

LORD CAMPBELL

said, that whatever might be the rule in this respect, it was certain that the noble Marquess was out of order in attempting to continue the proceedings of the House after the Lord Chancellor had left the woolsack. If their Lordships pleased he would take the vacated seat.

Moved, That the House be resumed: agreed to; and the Lord REDESDALE, Chairman of Committees, sat Speaker accordingly.

THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE

repeated his objection to the proceedings of the House being interrupted by a Commission. He believed that it was not usual for this to be done except by a formal Message from the Crown.

EARL STANHOPE

said, that he knew nothing of the matter, except that he was proceeding with his observations when the Lord Chancellor requested him to wait until the Commission had done its office, and he had supposed it was right to submit to the intimation of the Lord Chancellor.

LORD CAMPBELL

said, he apprehended that an announcement by the Lord Chancellor that there was a Royal Commission did ipso facto supersede all proceedings.

LORD REDESDALE

said, he did not know what was their Lordships' rule or practice on the subject; but he had never yet known an instance in which the regular proceedings of the House were not interrupted to receive a Commission. The case was the same in the other House—when Black Rod appeared at the bar of the Commons, all other business was suspended as a matter of course; and he presumed the same rule would apply to both Houses.

EARL GREY

said, he did not know what was the law in the case, but he could state positively that there was one occasion on which it was thought that a Commission could not stop their Lordships' proceedings—when the Ministry of 1831 determined to dissolve Parliament on the question of the Reform Bill, and when it was thought of importance that that dissolution should take place without delay, the Ministry of that day advised his Majesty to come in person, as they were of opinion that no mere Commission, no one but the Sovereign in Person, could interrupt the business of the House. For himself he saw no objection to the Commission being now read.

House adjourned during Pleasure.

House resumed by the LORD CHANCELLOR.

Then the LORDS COMMISSIONERS having entered the House and taken their seats, the Royal Assent was given to several Bills.

House adjourned during Pleasure.

House resumed by the Lord REDESDALE.