HL Deb 08 December 1831 vol 9 c131
Viscount Melbourne

gave notice, that on Thursday next he would, pursuant to the recommendation in the Speech from the Throne, with respect to the payment of Tithes in Ireland, move for a Committee to inquire into the present Tithe-system in that country.

Lord Cloncurry

had a number of Petitions to present with respect to the payment of Tithes in Ireland, which he would take an early occasion to submit to their Lordships, but he could not forego the pleasure of taking that, the first opportunity, of stating the satisfaction he felt at the recommendation in his Majesty's most gracious Speech, on a subject so important to the best interests of Ireland. The tithe-laws, in their present operation, were partial and oppressive—they had one measure for the rich, and another for the poor, though, he admitted, that to remedy the evils would be a measure of extreme difficulty.

The Earl of Wicklow rose to order, and begged leave to remind the noble Baron, that it was irregular to enter into statements which were likely to provoke discussion, on giving a notice. The more regular course would be, to defer his observations until he brought forward the petitions.

Lord Cloncurry

said, that his chief object was, to express his thankfulness to Ministers for the very fair and considerate manner in which they had introduced the subject, by a recommendation from the Throne for the Parliament to take it into consideration. The opposition to the payment of tithes was chiefly among the small tenants, and if the landlords of Ireland would pursue a more liberal policy towards their tenantry, he was sure it would go far to mitigate the evil. The clergy he had ever found moderate in their demands.

Lord Ellenborough

begged to know, whether the prayer of the petitions intrusted to the noble Baron was merely for an inquiry into the operation of the tithe-system in Ireland?

Lord Cloncurry

The petitions simply arraigned the partial and oppressive character of the tithe-system in Ireland.

Lord Ellenborough

said, it was most desirable, that all petitions should be referred to the Committee about to be appointed, in order that it might be clearly ascertained where the ground of complaint lay.