§ Mr. Pakingtonsaid, deep as were his feelings of indignation with regard to the whole nature of the Clergy Reserves Bill, and strong as his opinions were as to the want of policy of that act, he should, nevertheless, not go into a discussion on that wide subject on an incidental motion of this kind. The returns for which he was about to move were such as the House had a right 299 to expect. If the Clergy Reserve Bill remained on the table of the House thirty days, it became the law of the land; the House ought not, therefore, to be left in ignorance on this subject. He was inclined to suspect either that the Colonial-office did not know the extent of this bill, or that it was disposed to conceal it from the House. They had a right to expect distinct and explicit information on this subject. He had a right to ask that they should have distinct return on the table of the limitations to be made. He therefore moved for
A return of 'the religious bodies or denominations of Christians,' who would be entitled, in the event of the Royal assent being given to the Clergy Reserve Bill, passed by the Legislature of Upper Canada, to receive a portion of the proceeds of the reserved lands.
Mr. Vernon Smithsaid, without saying a word on the Clergy Reserves Bill, he entertained an opinion as directly opposite to that of the hon. Member as words could express. He denied that there was any intention of concealment. He believed it was his noble Friend's (Lord J. Russell's) intention to lay the acts and ordinances on the table; further than that he did not think that the information which the hon. Gentleman seemed to require, could be obtained in this country. If the hon. Member wrote to Canada, he apprehended his object would be answered, though too late to be of use. He did not wish to oppose the motion; he only gave the hon. Member warning, that the probable answer would be "no return in the Colonial-office of this country," which would involve the necessity of writing to the colonies, and the information would arrive too late to be of use before the passing of this measure.
§ Sir R. Inglistrusted that without the necessity of writing to Canada, the hon. Member would find either in the library of that or the other House of Parliament, sufficient information on the subject.
§ Motion agreed to.