THE EARL OF DONOUGHMOREsaid, he desired to call the attention of the House to an article in the Stockton and Hartlepool Mercury of the 15th of July, in which it was imputed to him that having had a relative—the Rev. Henry Crispin—interested in the West Hartlepool Dock and Railway Bill, he had improperly made use of his position as a Member of that House and Chairman of the Committee to obtain for his relative more favourable terms than he would otherwise have obtained. He indignantly repudiated that insinuation, and would ask if there had been anything in his conduct during the twelve years he had been in the House to warrant such a charge. As he thought their Lordships would feel inclined to protect those to whom they intrusted important functions in the consideration of Private Bills, he had felt it his duty to call the attention of the House to the matter; but, for himself, he had no intention to proceed further in so trumpery an affair.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, he was sure their Lordships would agree with him that the charge was altogether unwarranted, and that the part taken by the noble Earl in the case of this Bill was highly creditable to him. The noble Earl had detected 1142 very great irregularities in the proceedings of the Company, and had very properly brought them under the attention of the House. It was a matter for grave consideration whether charges of this sort involving a breach of the privileges of the House, should be passed over, and it would be for the House to consider whether it was not their duty to summon the printer of the article to appear at the bar. As, however, it was perfectly impossible that any one could attach the slightest importance to the charge which had been made, and after the observations of the noble Earl, it would probably not be thought necessary to take any formal action in the matter.
§ LORD REDESDALEstated, that the particular portion of the Bill referred to in the article in the newspaper was settled by him as Chairman of the Committees, long before the Bill went to the Committee, and he did not believe that it came before the noble Earl at all. He thought, however, that if there was any like hood that these attacks would become habitual, it would be necessary for the House to adopt measures accordingly.
THE EARL OF DONOUGHMOREsaid, he had felt it his duty to bring the subject under the consideration of the House; and having done so, he had no desire to press it further.
§ LORD REDESDALEthought the editor of the paper ought to be thankful to the noble Earl for his forbearance.