§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONasked the Attorney General, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce in the present Session Bills for Ireland, relating to Probates and Administrations, and to Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, similar in principle to the Bills for England now before the House of Lords. Also, whether it is intended that the Bill relating to Clergy Discipline, which the Lord Chancellor stated, shortly before the dissolution of Parliament, was then in preparation, should be introduced this Session, and whether it will include the Church in Ireland.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALin reply, said, the Government never intended to introduce those Bills with regard to England only. There were, however, some technical difficulties which rendered it inexpedient to include Ireland in the Bills which had been introduced. When, however, the Bill relating to Divorce and the Probate of Wills came down to that House, his right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General for Ireland would move for leave to introduce Bills extending their principle to Ireland, and also for the establishment of a General Ecclesiastical Registry in that country. With regard to the subject of Church Discipline, a Bill had some time back been prepared and submitted to the Bishops for their approval. Those right rev. personages had returned the Bill to the Lord Chancellor; but some doubt existed as to whether it could be introduced during the present Session; however, if it were introduced, he could assure the right hon. Gentleman that a Bill applicable to Ireland would also be introduced.