HL Deb 09 August 1842 vol 65 c1179
Lord Lyndhurst

moved that this bill be recommitted. He said he should move next Session the reappointment of the committee which sat on this subject, so that the whole question might be investigated.

Lord Brougham

was anxious that the impression should not go abroad that this bill had any effect in preventing Presbyterian clergymen from celebrating these marriages. It merely declared the marriages which had already taken place valid.

Lord Campbell:

Mr. Henry and Dr. Montgomery were decidedly of opinion that they had a clear right to solemnize these marriages. This hill threw a doubt on the subject by rendering such marriages legal only under the sanction of this act of Parliament.

Lord Brougham:

The clergymen would act improperly if they solemnized these marriages after the decisions of the courts in Ireland; but this bill made no difference.

Lord Cottenham:

This bill was intended merely to cure an existing evil of great extent; as it appeared that many persons were breaking those marriages now. As soon as the legal question was decided next Session these marriages must be declared good or bad by Parliament, If the former, then this bill would be merely confirmed. If the latter, then he apprehended that the marriages legalised by this act would be still pronounced good.

Bill went through committee.

House adjourned.