§ Order for Committee read.
§ House in Committee.
§ SIR HUGH CAIRNSsaid, he rose to propose that the Chairman do leave the Chair, with a view of withdrawing the Bill. He regretted to have to do so, but it was impossible that the Bill, if it passed that House, should receive due consideration in the other House of Parliament at so late a period of the Session. It was quite clear that a Bill of such magnitude could never be satisfactorily carried through by a private Member; and he therefore hoped that the Government, having admitted more than once that there were many things in the marriage law of Ireland which 1314 required a remedy, would introduce a similar measure next Session; and if they did, he should be prepared to give them every assistance.
§ MR. HADFIELDexpressed his regret that the measure should be withdrawn, especially as Ireland was ripe for legislation on the subject.
§ MR. LEFROYsaid, he hoped that the Government, before introducing any Bill on the subject, would consult the heads of the Church in Ireland.
§ MR. HENNESSYsaid, at the close of the last Session he called the attention of the Chief Secretary to the state of the marriage law in Ireland, and strongly urged him to introduce a Bill upon the subject. The Yelverton marriage case had shown that the Roman Catholic clergy were labouring under penal disabilities, because if they celebrated a mixed marriage before the ceremony had been performed by a Protestant clergyman, they would be liable to punishment for felony. He hoped, then, the Government would turn their attention to the subject.
§ House resumed. [No report.]