The Sun.
London, England, 1840-03-24 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at the usual hour, when
Mr. H. Drummond, the new Member for Perthshire, in
the room of the present Earl of Mansfield, was introduced
by Sir G. Clerk and Mr. Christopher. He took the oaths
and his seat.
• Mr. C. HOPE moved that a petition from the Earl of
Hopetoun against the Glasgow and Edinburgh Railway
Bill be referred back to the Committee on petitions.
Mr. EsTcounr and the ATTORNEY-GENERAL contended
that there was no occasion for taking that course, as the
complaint contained in the petition could be inquired into
in the Committee on the Bill. That Committee would dt,
ample justice between the parties.
Mr GREENE made a few observations that were in-
audible in the gallery.
Mr. LABOUCtie,RE thought that substantial justice
would be best obtained by referring this petition to the
Committee on Petitions, which would afford an opportu-
nity
of inquiry into the whole circumstances, and whether
it was a third class Bill or not. The only question Na,
whether that course could be adopted consistently with th,
regulations of the House ; he was strongly of opinion
that it could ; but, at the same time, not having paid
mach attention to the subject, perhaps the Speaker would
favour the House with his opinions upon it, as it wgs im-
portant the House should not take a false step respect ng it.
The SPEAKER said, undoubtedly the case was im-
portant. His own opinion was that the best course in all
ca-es where there was any difficulty—and if he assum ‘d
the allegations to be correct, this was certainly a do übtful
one—was to have the petition referred back to the Com-
mittee on Petitions or Private Bills, and it was tl en for
them to say whether they considered there was any
thing in the Bill beyond what had appeared in the
petition, and whether it was a 2nd or 3rd claw Bill ;
if a 2nd class Bill clearly the parties were not entitled to
carry it on. He thought the safest course would be to
refer the petition to the Committee on Private Bils.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Mr. ESTCOURT said, after
the opinion of the Speaker, it would not become them
,to
oppose the motion, which was therefore agreed to.
Mr. BR OT HERTON presented a petition from Leeds
against the Bolton Small Debts' Bill.
On the motion of an HON. MEMBER, the Tavistock
Snutll Debts gill was read a second time.
Sir J. YARDE BUI.ILFR.moyed that the Committee
ontheTo
on Wednesday
rquayßoadßill
next.—Agreed revived, and d
to
have leave to sit
and report
On the motion of Captain AL SAGER, the London
and Croydon Railvvav Extension Bill was read a second
time.

Colonel BUTLER presented two petitions from places
in Kilkenny, praying for an extension of the suffrage, and
for municipal reform in Ireland.
Mr. VILLIERS presented petitions from Berwick-
Eipr:Tift-qd? from Warrington, from a place in Forfar,
from A parrsh in pkiestpT, and various other places, praying
or a total repeal of the ' Corn-laws - also a petition from

Bilston, against any grant for the purpose of Church Ex-
to ision.

Mr. CHRISTOPHER begged to ask the Hon. Mem-
ber whether he was determined to bring on the question
of the Corn-laws on the day for which he had given
cotice Some doubts had arisen as to the intention of the
lion. Member to bring on the question on that day, and
he (Mr. Christopher) did not mean to enforce the Call of
the House if it was intended to postpone the motion.
Mr. VILLIE RS ha no intention to change the day
for which be had given notice, and it was his intention to
bring it fort; and on the 31st instant.
Mr. CODRINGTON presented seven petitions from
Gloucester in favour of the present Corn-laws, and a pe-
tition from Stow on-the- Wold, complaining of the enor-
mous increase in county rates.
Mr. BANNERMAN presented petitions from Aber-
deen and other places in Scotland, against the present
system of Corn.laws.
Mr. HOULDS WORTH presented a petition against
tue repeal of the Corn-laws.
Mr. i\IORRISON presented petitions from Inverness,
praying fur the immediate repeal of the Corn-laws.
M . DUGDA LE pres rated a petition from Warwick
against the repeal of the Corn-laws; and a petition from
Birmingham in favour of Church Extension.
Mr. G. W. WOOD presented two petitions from
Kendal, for the repeal of the k.orn-laws.
Mr. ROUND presented a petition from the Guardians
of the Pour of Maldon, against the Poor-law Amend-
ment 311.
Mr. ESTCOURT and Sir C. B. VERE presented
petitions in iavuur of Church Extension.
Mr. WALLACE presented four petitions from places
i❑ Scotland. for a repeal of the Corn-laws.
Mr. GREG presented a petition from the Chamber of
Conitne.ce at Manchester, against the Stade Duties; also
a pe,ition front Lancaster, signed by between 1,500 and
IMO persons, praying for a total repeal of the Corn-laws.
Mr. CLIVE presented petitions from various place in
Wales, against the repeal of the Corn-laws.
Lord GEORGE LENNOX presented 39 petitions
from various parishes in Sussex to the same effect.
Mr. HODGES presented several petitions from va-
rious places in Kent, to the same effect.
Lord JAMES STUART presented various petitions
front parishes in Argyle, in favour of the repeal of the
Corn-laws.
Mr. T. DLTNCOMBE presented three petitions from
Glasgow, in favour of a repea'. of the Corn-laws.
Mr. CRAWFORD presented a petition from the mer-
chants of London, praying for an inquiry into the manner
in which the opium had been taken from the merchants i❑
China.
Sir ROBERT PEEL presented a petition from Belfast
against the principles of Non-intrusion into the Church of
Scotland : also a petition from Renfrew to the same effect:
also a petition from Nova Scotia, praying the House not
to deprive the Church of England of its endowments:
also a petition from Galway against the importation of
foreign flour into Ireland. The Right Hon. Bart. also pre.
sented a petition from the inhabitants of Lancaster, with
the prayer of which he did not concur, praying for the
total, immediate, and entire repeal of the Corn-laws.
Mr. C. I. USHINGTON presented a petition, agreed
to at a public meeting, held at Freemasons' Hail, Great
Queen-street, against any grant cf public money for
Church Extension,
Mr. HUME presented a petition from places in Had-
dingtonshire, from Arundel, Biduesford, and other places
for the repeal of the Corn-laws,
Mr. ASHTON YATES presented several petitions
to the same effect, but from whence they came we could
not hear,
Mr. ROWLAND ALSTON presented a petition from
Ware, praying for the discharge of John Thorogood,
and the abolition of Church-rates.
Sir WILLIAM MOLESWOR.TH gave notice that
on this day fortnight lie should call the attention of the
House to the Transportation Committee.
CHINA.—POSTPONEMENT OF MOTION.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM, understanding it was the
fixed intention of the Honourable Member
for Wolverhampton to bring forward his Motion
relative to the Corn-laws on the 31st inst., which was
likely to lead to a protracted debate, thought it would be
for the convenience of the House, if he stated that it was
his intention to postpone his motion upon the China papers
to this day fortnight, and that on that day it was his fixed
determination to bring his mwion_forward..-7(Hear, hear.)