The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-21 00:00:00

SITTINGS IN THE HOUSE.

Colonel S. KNOX asked whether it was not a breach of
the privileges of members for an officer of the house to
remove the hat of a member after he had placed it on a
seat. The greatest inconvenience arose from such a.
course, and he wished to know whether the officer of the
house was justified in the course he had adopted.
Mr. RUNT said the course pursued by the officer of the
house was very inconvenient to members who were com-
pelled to attend to committees.
The SPEAKER said that some time ago a standing
order was passed to the effect that a seat could only be
secured by attendance at prayers, and an order had been
made rescinding it.
NOTTINGHAM ELECTION COMMITTEE.
Mr. AD.AIR. brought up the report of the Nottingham
Election Committee. The committee were of opinion that
Sir J. R. Clifton and Mr. S. Morley were not duly elected
to serve in Parliament, and that Sir J. R. Clifton, Mr. S.
Morley, and Mr. Paget were guilty, by their agents, of,
bribery ; that the last election was a void election, and that
corrupt practices bad existed.

Viscount CRANBORNE said he wished to put a
question on the subject before the report was brought up.
The orders of the house not allowing this course,

The report was brought up.

- _
Viscount CRANBORNE said he now had to inform the
house that immediately the result of the committee was
known, three sheriffs' officers pounced upon Sir J. Clifton
and hurried him of to gaol. He was of opinion that a mem-
ber did not cease to be a member of the house until the
report of the committee was brought up. (Hear, hear.)
Be thought a breach of the privileges of the house had
been committed ; and he therefore moved that the Sheriffs
of Middlesex attend at tho bar of the house at 4 o'clock on
Monday to explain their conduct.

Mr. EDWARDS seconded the motion.
Mr. ARYTON thought the Sheriffs ought to be sum-
moned to the bar of the house forthwith.

Mr. ROEBUCK suggested that they should bring Sir J.
Clifton with them. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. WATKIN said he thought there must be some mis-
take, as he had met Sir J. Clifton some time after the deci-
sion of the committee; therefore, he could not be in pri-

son.

Viscount CRANBORNE said he had made his observa-
tion on the authority of one of the counsel engaged in the
case.

Mr. S. LEFEVRE said he had met Sir J. Clifton walk-
ing down Westminster-hall some time after the decision of
the committee.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said if such a circum-
stance had taken place a gross breach of the privileges of
Parliament had taken place, but it would be well that the
hon. member should satisfy himself of the whole of the
facts, because it would be a particularly absurd position for
the house to place itself, if, when the Sheriffs attended,
they said they had not taken Sir R. Clifton into custody.
Sir E. DERING said he bad not seen Sir R. Clifton
walking along with a gentleman. (A laugh.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said as it
appeared that Sir R. Clifton had been seen in the posses-
sion of his full personal freedom. (No, no.) He had been
seen walking with a gentleman. (Cries of "A sheriff's offi-
cer.") Under all the circumstances the wisest course for
the hon. member to pursue was to withdraw his motion
until a later hour in the evening, when he would have time
to fully inform himself of the facts of the case. He thought
he had only done his duty in bringing the matter under
the notice- of the house.

The motion for the attendance of the Sheriffs at the bar
was then postponed.

fikth the Sheriffs of the City of London and Middlesex
were present during the discussion, occupying seats under
the Speaker's gallery.]

THE SUPPLY OF COAL.

Mr. LIDDELL asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether the attention of the Govern-
ment had been directed to the rapid exhaustion of our coal
fields ; whether they were in possession of accurate infor-
mation upon the subject which they were propared to lay
upon tho table of the house ; and, if not, whether they
were prepared to direct that further'scientific research be
made into this vitally important question ?
Sir G. GREY said the attention of the Government had
been directed to the subject. They were not in posses-
sion of any accurate information on the subject, and he
questioned very much whether any other person had such
accurate information as could be relied on.