LEAVE. FIRST READING. (Hansard, 12 February 1867)

§ MR. NEWDEGATE
rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill for the Commutation of Church Rates. Last year he introduced the same measure, but withdrew it in deference to the right hon. Member for South Lancashire.

§ MR. HADFIELD
said, he wished for some explanation on the part of the hon. Member for North Warwickshire. He presumed it was the Bill of last year for commuting church rates; and if so, it contained a proposition to impose a rate of 2d. in the pound upon all real estate for the maintenance of the fabrics of churches. This rate would produce a sum of £800,000 or £900,000 per annum. He believed the hon. Member for North Warwickshire disputed his figures; but that was the result of his own calculation. Were they to have the same Bill this year as they had for 295 several years preceding? He thought it would be wise to let the subject drop. It had been before the House thirty years, and the character of the House had not risen in consequence. He hoped that the Government would express an opinion on the subject. It would not do to keep this question constantly before the country. He thought there should be a dissolution between Church and State. It should never be forgotten that the Nonconformists claimed to be a majority of the people of England; that in Scotland the Church of England had not many supporters; that in Ireland the Church was not one-eighth of the people. Under these circumstances, to have a Bill thrown in their teeth claiming a rate of 2d. in the pound was too bad. It was time that this was put an end to; and he moved, as an Amendment, "the Previous Question."

§ MR. CANDLISH
seconded the Amendment.

§ MR. NEWDEGATE,
in explanation, said, the hon. Member was speaking of a Bill not in his hand; and he had made a most extraordinary statement with respect to the Bill of last Session. The hon. Member had said that he (Mr. Newdegate) intended, by the Bill of last year, to impose a charge on real property amounting to £800,000 or £900,000 a year. The hon. Member could not have read that Bill. He (Mr. Newdegate) remembered explaining to the hon. Member some years ago that such was not the effect, or the purpose, or the intention of the Bill. He could only express a hope that as the subject had been discussed in the House of Commons, he would be allowed to lay the Bill on the table of the House.

§ SIR GEORGE GREY
said, it was a matter of ordinary courtesy to allow an hon. Member to introduce a Bill, and he hoped the hon. Member for Sheffield would not oppose that course on the present occasion.

§ MR. HADFIELD
then withdrew his Amendment.