The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-03 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—LAST E\ 'EKING.
The Lotto CHANCELLOR took his seat on the svoolsack
at five o'clock.

In committee on the Boundaries bill,

E:u•l BEAUCHAMP moved an amendment to the effect
that the recommendations of the Royal Commissioners,
extending the Parliamentary limits of Birkenhead and
Birmingham, should he substituted for the provision in
the bill founded on the suggestion of the► select committee
of the House of Commons retaining the existing Parlia-
mentary bound.u•ies of those places.
. . .

E.,rl GRAN VILLE appealed to the Govoirnmont not to
support the amendment. He contended that; the Ministry
was bound in honour, after the dxlaration:s made by Mr.
Disraeli, to adhere to the changes effected by the House
of Cotumens as a compromise. lie deprecated the idea of
their lordships' house being male the means of carrying
out the views of a minority of the House of Cot tmons.
The Earl of MALMESBURY expressed his opinion
that it was out of the power of any Ministry to control the
action of the House of Loris by speeches n ado iu the
House of Commons.

Earl RUSSELL declared that Mr. Disraeli had dis-
tinctly stated, after the bill assumed its present shape, that
the question of LauudAries was settled ; and it vould be a
breach of faith on the part of the Government u.ow to dis-
turb the settleincut. th-3 conclusion of hi, speech the
noble lord left the house, accompanied by n',arly all the
occupants of the front Opposition bench. Their departure
was the signal for derisive cheering aad laughter on the
Ministerial side.] _ _ _

The Duke of ARGYLL—Unquestionably an intimation
was given to the hous3 that the Boundary Bill was vir-
tually s ttied.

The Duke of MARLBOROUGH—I say no!
The Duke of ARGYLL—I say yes ! (Laughter.) The
Prime Minister said :

" Now the Scotch Reform Bill and the Boundary Bill,
though they have not yet left this house, may be regarded
as virtually settled."
I venture to think that if the House of Commons had sup-
posed the Government would act in the way they seem
disposed •to do in this case it is more than probable that
the vote of want of confidence of which the noble earl
speaks would have been come to. There was a distinct
understanding given to the House of Commons that the
Government would in these matters be bound by its deci-
sion. That appears to have been the condition on which
the Government, though in a minority, has been allowed
to carry on the public business. I think, therefore, it is a
direct offence to the House of Commons that a Govern-
ment in a minority there should make use of its power in
the House of Lords to upset decisions come to in the
House of Commons. _ _ _

The LORD UHANCELLOR denied that the Govern-
ment were bound to accept the report of the select com-
mittee.

After some further discussion, Lord Granville and the
leading members of the Opposition left the house in a
body, declining to take part in the further discussion of
the point.

The Duke of 31ARLBOROUGLI protested against the
courso Liken as unwarrantable, and as au insult to the
house.

Lord EVERSLEY strongly defended the report of the
Boundary Commissioners, and declared that he entirely
differed from the decision which the select committee of
the House of Commons had arrived at.
E rl BEAUCHAMP said he was told that the motion
came on the house by surprise. He denied that such was
the fact, but in order that there should be no ground for
the charge., ho would muva that the debate be adjourned
until llouday.
After some conversation,

The CHAIRMAN reported progress, and the debate
was adjourned.
Their lordships shortly afterwards separated.