The Sun.
London, England, 1847-11-27 00:00:00

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

Sir J. PAKINGTON moved that, tiLtil the Christmas
holidays, orders of the dray should take precedence of
notices of motions. The Hon. Gei.tl( man said that, in
bringing before the House the motion of which he had
given notice, he was unwilling to do so without assuring
Hon. Gentlemen, who had given notices of motion, that
he did not wish to cause them any inconvenience. lie
brought forward the proposal without having had any
communication with the Government, and solely from
the conviction that, if the House adopted it, the public
business would be much facilitated, and the general con-
venience of the House promoted. He would, therefore,
move that, under the peculiar circumstance of the pre-
sent session, orders of the day should have precedence of
notices of motion.
Mr. BROTHERTON seconded the motion.

Mr. BANKES considered that, as the motion was of
so much importance and of so singular a nature, the
Hon. Gentleman could not object to the House delaying
its consideration of it until next week. Many Hon.
Members were now absent who would return next week
when important business was expected, and a proposition
of this nature ought, in his opinion, to be discussed in a
very full House.—(Hear, hear.) The proposition was
so extraordinary a one that he was prepared to give it a
decided negative. A proposition being made at the
commencement of the session to allow the Government
to engross all the business appeared to him to be so un-
constitutional that he would certainly oppose it. He
would not, of course, object to it at the close of a session,
but he was bound to do so now, for it materially af-
fected the arrangements of private Members. Fur in-
stance, he had himself a notice on the books which
could not be postponed, for it related to an appointment
which was not made, but which would be made in a few
days—he alluded to the appointment of President to
the English Poor-law Commission. It was his intention
to propose that, instead of a new president being ap-
pointed to the Poor-law Commission, the office should he
conferred upon the Lord Privy Seal. This gentleman,
who was at present travelling in Italy, had, it appeared,
nothing to do, and an arrangement such as that which
he (Mr. Bankes) was about to propose would save the
country 2,000/. per annum.—(Hear, tear, and laughter.)
The two secretaries would then remain, the remaining
pottion of the Act could be i❑ force, and an annual
saying would be caused to the country. He would move
a direct negative to the motion.

.11r. lIUME expressed his aston'shment at the pro•
posal emanating from the Right lion. Baronet (Sir J.
l'*hington), for in his opinion it would prevent ,he pas
sib:lity of Hon. Gentlemen making suggestiol s beneficial
to the country, and, moreover, pievent her Majesty
hum avuilipg herself of that for which she convi nod
Pailiament, namely, the advice and assistance of her
faithful Commons —(Hear, hear.) It did not appear
that Parliament had been called together for any par
titular purpose beyond tho transaction of the pnblic
business, qud therefore the motion which, in his opinion,
would be very improper at any time would. be more so
now, when it was borne hi mind that the Parliament
was a new one. He h, pad the Hon. Baronet would
withdraw the motion.—(hoar )
Mr. BROTHERTON said the only object of the
original suggestion was to save the public time; at the
same time, however, he thought it only right that such a
motion should be decided on by a full House.

Mr. EWART said the rules of the House were seldom
violated without their having reason to repent it.
Lord J. RUS3ELL quite agrced with tho Hon.
Member for Salford, that such u proposition, however
desirable, would better be discussed in a full House, and
decided on by universal assent, more especially as they
had only the other day decided that on Tuesdays and
Thursdays orders should have precedence. At the same
time, he would take the opportunity of enforek-,g a hope
that Hon. Members having notices of motions would not
interfere with the appointed business of the House
unless the subjects were of a ♦ery pressing nature. It
might be very inconvenient if they were obliged, on the
23d of December, to adjourn only for a week.—(Hear.)
Sir J. PAKINGTON withdrew his motion.