The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-08-20 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-WEDNESDAY.

Mr. F. O'CoNsolt begged leave to put a question to the
Speaker affecting the privileges of the house. He wished to
know whether, when a member of that house had been named
Chairman of a Committee appointed to investigate a question
affecting the funds of several thousands of poor people, and
indirectly involving the character of a member of that house.
it was parliamentary, or gentlemanly, or honourable, or ho-
nest, in the chairman so appointed to pay out of his own
pocket for information from a witness whom he dared not
bring regularly and openly before the committee. (" Oh, oh !")
The SPEAKER had had no notice of the question—(hear,)—
but would generally say thLt he saw no reason why a member
of a committee might not, if he pleased, pay out of his own
pocket for information that he fairly t.ought likely to be of
service to the committee. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. HATTER felt bound to say a word. (" No, no.") The
hon. gentleman—so called,—(" Order, order.") Will the hon.
gentleman—
Mr. F. O'CONNOR interposed something about swindling
and juggling—we did not collect what—tor which he was at
once called to order.

The SPEAKER called upon Air. Hayter to withdraw the ex-
pression he had just made use of, which was at once done, and
there the matter dropped.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—THURSDAY.
Parliament was this day prorogued by her Majesty in person.
Soon after tw•o o'clock, her Majesty entered the house, preceded
by the great officers of state; and, having taken her seat on
the throne, gave the royal assent to several bills.
Her Majesty then delivered the following most gracious
Speech

"My Lords and Gentlemen,-1 have the satisfaction of being
able to release you from the duties of a laborious session. The
assiduity and care with which you have applied yourselves to
the business which required your attention, merit my cordial
approbation. The act for the better government of my Aus-
tralian colonies will, I trust, improve the condition of those
rising communities. It will always be gratifying to me to
be able to extend the advantages of representative institutions,
which form the glory and happiness of my people, to colonies
inhabited by men who are capable of exercising, with benefit
to themselves, the privileges of freedom. It has afforded me
great satisfaction to give ti y ilssenE to the act wWcli you have
passed for the improvement of the merchant naval service of
this country. It is, I trust, calculated to promote the welfare
of every class connected with this essential branch of the na-
tional interest. The act for the gradual discontinuance of in-
terments within tile limits of the metropolis, is in conformity
with those enlightened views which have for their object the
improvement of the public health. I shall watch with interest
the progress of measures relating to this important subject. I
have given my cordial assent to the act for the extension of
the elective franchise in Ireland. I look to the most beneficial
consequences from a measure which ham been framed with a
view to give to my people in Ireland a fair participation in the
benefits of our representative system. 1 have observed with
the greatest interest and satisfaction the measures which have
been adopted with a view to the improvement of the adminis-
tration of justice in various departments, and I confidently
anticipate they will be productive of much public convenience
and advantage.
" Gentlemen of the House of Commons,—The improvement
of the revenue, and the large reductions which have been made
in various branches of expenditure, have tended to give to our
financial condition stability and security. lam happy to find
that you have been enabled to relieve my subjects from some
of the burthens of taxation, without impairing the sufficiency
of our resources to meethithe charges imposed upon them.
"My Lords and Gentlemen,—l am encouraged to hope that
the treaty between Germany and Denmark, which has been
concluded at Berlin under my mediation, may lead at no dis-
tant period to the restoration of peace in the north of Europe.
No endeavour shall be wanting on my part to secure the at-
tainment of this great b!essing. I continue to maintain the
most friendly relations with foreign powers, and I trust that
nothing may occur to disturb the general peace. I have every
reason to be thankful for the loyalty and attachment of my
people, and while I am studious to preserve and to improve
our institutions, I rely upon the goodness of Almighty God to
favour my efforts, and to guide the destinies of this nation."
The Loan CHANCELLOR then formally prorogued parlia-
ment, and the royal party returned to the palace.