HC Deb 07 July 1859 vol 154 cc851-2

Order for Second Reading road.

Motion made and Question proposed—"That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. SOTHERON ESTCOURT

said, the Bill was not put into the hands of hon. Members till that morning, and he would therefore suggest that the debate be adjourned until any day in the next week that the right hon. Baronet might name. This would give them a few more days to look at it, and to examine what would be its effect upon the existing statute, as well as to ascertain the opinion of people in Ireland with respect to it.

MR. SERJEANT PIGOT

said, he also hoped the House would pause for a few days, the question being one of very considerable importance.

MR. W. MILES

said, it seemed that the present Liberal Members of the House imagined that such a Bill as this was of no importance to the country, for the right hon. Baronet, (Sir W. Somerville) without saying a single word as to its principles, moved that it be read a second time. This Bill would overthrow a settlement that was made long since. He begged to remind the Liberal Members on the opposite side of the House that in the liberty of this country was a great deal of Protestantism, and that before the House was asked to agree to this Bill the object of its authors should be distinctly explained. He hoped the right hon. Baronet would accede to the suggestion of his right hon. Friend the Member for Wiltshire, and permit the House to pause a little before it read the Bill a second time.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, he would suggest to his right hon. Friend that as the Bill was only printed this morning and was likely to excite considerable interest and lead to discussion, he should postpone the second reading. Perhaps he was the more entitled to make the request, because, as at present advised, it was his intention to support the Bill.

SIR WILLIAM SOMERVILLE

observed, that it was difficult for a private Member to get an opportunity of bringing forward a Bill, and therefore he had intended to press the second reading that evening, but he could not resist the appeal made to him on both sides of the House, and he would therefore consent to adjourn the second reading to Tuesday next.

MR. BOWYER

said, he hoped the notice for the second reading of the Bill would be placed on the paper for Tuesday in such a position that it should have a fair chance of being brought on.

Debate adjourned till Tuesday next, 12th July.