Lord Stanleysaid, that, about a fortnight since, the noble Lord opposite (Lord John Russell) had said, that, in the course of some time, he should be prepared to state the course which Government would adopt with regard to the Irish Church. He wished to know at what time it was proposed to bring this matter forward, and what course Government proposed to pursue? He would also take the same opportunity of asking his noble Friend, the Secretary for Ireland, whether or not he had succeeded in obtaining a return of the proportion of tithes paid by the landed proprietors, as compared with the portion paid by the tenants in Ireland?
§ Lord J. Russellsaid, that with regard to the Tithe Bill, he hoped to be able to lay this subject before the House in the couse of the present month. He hoped to be able to state the principles and details of this bill before bringing forward any other measure relating to Ireland.
§ Viscount Morpethsaid, in reply to the noble Lord's question, that he had instituted an inquiry last year, but had found an almost insuperable difficulty in the way of obtaining the information which the noble Lord desired; and he had therefore no communication to make upon the subject.
§ Mr. Shawbelieved, from information which he had received, and upon which he thought he might rely, that very nearly one-half of the amount now paid in Ireland in the shape of tithes was paid by the landlords.