The Earl of Haddingtoncalled the attention of the House to the unhappy dissensions that had so long prevailed in the Church of Scotland, and to the position in which the civil court and the church courts stood towards each other. He wished to ask the noble Viscount opposite whether it was the intention of Government to introduce any measure with a view to allay the prevailing heats and animosities, and to produce, as much as any legislative measure could effect that object, a settlement of the question; or whether, being satisfied with the existing state of the law, seeing no ground for alteration, and being determined that the law should have its full effect, and that those who obeyed it should receive protection, the Government thought it better to make no application to Parliament for any change of the law?
§ Viscount Melbourneentirely agreed with the noble Earl as to the great importance of this question. He could assure the noble Earl that Government had given the most serious consideration to the question, and having done so, he must say, that he was not prepared to bring in any measure at present to alter the law respecting the Church of Scotland.
The Earl of Haddingtonsaid, that as 138 the noble Viscount was disposed to leave the law as it stood, he wished to ask him if he was equally disposed to see the law effectually administered for the protection of those who were determined to obey it?
§ Viscount MelbourneThat is a matter of course.
The Earl of Haddingtonwas exceedingly glad to hear the noble Viscount say so; but from the nature of the discussions that had taken place, and from all the circumstances of the case, he thought it was impossible that the question could be brought to a satisfactory termination without the intervention of Parliament.
§ House adjourned.