The Duke of Buckinghamwas afraid he should incur the censure of the noble Viscount for rising to ask a question without first giving him notice. The matter, however, to which his question would refer was of so important a nature, that it must have fallen under the serious consideration of his Majesty's Ministers, if they were not wholly unfit for their situations. It was now many months since Parliament had been told, that it was the intention of Government to take measures for the purpose of remedying the grievances which had arisen in Ireland from the opposition to the payment of tithe. Committees of inquiry had been appointed in both Houses of Parliament, but, up to the present hour, nothing had been done by Ministers; while the state of Ireland was daily becoming worse, and the military force of the kingdom was employed for the purpose of protecting the march of cows and pigs seized for tithe. He wished, therefore, to know from the noble Viscount (Melbourne) whether it was the intention of Government to bring forward any measure for the purpose of setting the question of tithes at rest.
§ Viscount Melbournewas sure, that when the noble Duke charged the Ministers with having done nothing respecting the question of tithes, he must have forgotten the bill which had recently passed the Legislature, and received the Royal Assent, for the relief of the suffering clergy of Ireland. The noble Duke was well aware that the question of tithes was referred to a Committee of that House, and he hoped that the Committee would soon be able to make another Report.
The Duke of BuckinghamDoes the noble Lord mean to say that the Committee will make another Report soon.
§ Viscount Melbournetrusted so.