§ Lord Althorp moved the Order of the Day for receiving the Report of the Committee of Supply granted to his Majesty.
Mr. O'Connellsaid, he wished to ask 1029 the hon. and learned Gentleman (the Attorney General), whether there was any particular law relating to Roman Catholic witnesses being sworn in a peculiar manner. The cause of his asking this question was, that he considered a witness of that persuasion had been treated with indignity by an Election Committee. He had been under examination some time, until it was thought proper to inquire into his religion, and, on his declaring himself a Catholic, the Committee decided he must be re-sworn upon a Testament having a cross upon it.
The Attorney Generalsaid, he never heard of but one law on the subject, and that was, the person to be sworn should take the oath in the way he considered binding on his conscience; and if a Catholic, therefore, on being asked, declared the form proposed to be binding upon him, it was all that could be required.
§ Report brought up.
§ Mr. Huntcomplained of the levity with which money was voted away by the House, and remonstrated against that, portion of the grant which was on account of salaries.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that the whole subject had been discussed and determined on Friday last.
§ Report agreed to.