Lords Sitting of 12 August 1859

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS.—2a Bankruptcy and Insolvency (Ireland) Act Amendment. 3a Weights and Measures Act Amendment; Consolidated Fund (Appropriation); Stamp Duties; Customs (No. 2.); East India Loan; Militia Pay; Reserve Volunteer Force of Seamen; Government of India Act Amendment; Inclosure Acts Amendment; Stock in Trade Exemption; Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Continuance; Episcopal and Capitular Estates Act Continuance; Corrupt Practices Prevention Act (1854) Continuance; Turnpike Acts Continuance; Dublin Police; Charitable and Provident Societies; In closure; European Troops India.

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.—NOTICE.
LORD DENMANgave notice that, in case the Government should delay to bring forward a Reform Bill, as they had done since 1857, or in case their Bill should be rejected elsewhere, he should follow the precedent established by a noble Lord in bringing in an Endowed Schools Bill after one had been withdrawn in "another place;" and in the next Session move the Reform Bill which had been so prematurely put an end

1381
to in the last Parliament, and which was capable of any modification and amendment.
It had reminded him of the speech of Lord John Russell in 1851 on General Gas-coyne's Motion, in which his Lordship said, that it was brought forward indeed by the hon. and gallant General, but concocted by more wily individual?, and intended to combine all the enemies of the Bill.
With respect to the foreign policy of the late Government, he would read an extract from a letter which he had just received:
"I quite agree with you that Lord Malmesbury has been unfairly treated, and that nothing could have been more constitutional, upright, and firm than the manner in which he conducted the Italian business."
A noble Lord (Lord Wodehouse) asked if the letter was from the Earl of Derby, to which Lord Denman answered, no it was from a Cousin of his own, and he himself did not constantly correspond with the noble Earl; but if it had been from that quarter it would have added to the weight of the opinion. He had always given a silent vote in support of the Earl of Derby, but although he might he the most humble member of their Lordships' House, yet he was fully entitled to give his opinion.

GLOUCESTER CITY ELECTION.

  A CONFERENCE. ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY.
  Conference had, at the Desire of the Commons, upon the Subject Matter of an Address to be presented to Her Majesty, under the Provisions of the Act 15 amp; 16 Vict., c. 57; and Report made, That the Commons had agreed to the following Address, to be presented to Her Majesty, to which they desire the Concurrence of their Lordships:—
  "Most Gracious Sovereign,
  "We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parliament assembled, beg Leave humbly to represent to Tour Majesty, that a Select Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to try a Petition complaining of an undue Election and Return for the City of Gloucester, have reported to the House, that there is reason to believe that corrupt Practices extensively prevailed at the last Election for the City of Gloucester.
  "We therefore humbly pray Your Majesty, that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to cause Inquiry to be made, pursuant to the Provisions of the Act of Parliament passed in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of Your Majesty, intituled 'An Act to provide for more effectual Inquiry into the Existence of corrupt Practices at Elections for Members to serve in Parliament,' by the Ap-
  1382
  pointment of James Vaughan, esquire, Lucias Henry Fitzgerald, esquire, and Richard Griffiths Welford, esquire, as Commissioners for the Purpose of making Inquiry into the Existence of such corrupt Practices."
  Then it was moved to fill up the blank in the said Address with "Lords Spiritual and Temporal and;" agreed to.
  Then the said Address was agreed to; and a Message sent to the Commons to acquaint them that the Lords had agreed to the said Address, and had filled up the Blank.
  The Lord Steward and the Lord Chamberlain of the Household to attend Her Majesty with the Address on the Part of this House.
  The Lord Steward to wait upon Her Majesty humbly to know what Time Her Majesty will please to appoint to be attended with the said Address.

WAKEFIELD ELECTION.
  A MESSAGE.
  Message from the Commons, that they have appointed Viscount PALMERSTON, Sir GEORGE LEWIS, Mr. SECRETARY SIDNEY HERBERT, and Sir GEORGE GREY, to go with the Lords (mentioned in the Message of Yesterday) to wait upon Her Majesty with the Address.
GLOUCESTER CITY ELECTION.

  A MESSAGE.
  Message from the Commons that they have appointed Viscouut PALMERSTON, Sir GEORGE LEWIS, Mr. Secretary SIDNEY HERBERT, and Sir GEORGE GREY to go with the Lords (mentioned in the Message of this Day) to wait upon her Majesty with the Address.
  House adjourned at Seven o'clock. till To-morrow, half past Two o'clock.