§ House in Committee (according to Order).
LORD HOUGHTON, in moving that the House go into Committee on this Bill, said, he thought it would be better, after the favourable reception given to the measure by their Lordships at a previous stage, if it were allowed to proceed in its present form. The question of a re-construction of the oaths and declarations taken and made by municipal functionaries might perhaps be one very well worth considering; but it was not necessary, and it might not be convenient, to consider it in connection with that particular Bill.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYregretted that the noble Lord had not acted on the suggestion which he had thrown out to him the other day, because at present they were legislating in a very slovenly mode in regard to the oaths taken by municipal officers. The oaths taken by Members of the Legislature having now been reduced to one plain, simple, and uniform shape, he thought a similar course ought to be followed in respect to the oaths taken by municipal officers and other persons. There was one part of the Bill which extended its provisions to any declarations taken under any other Act than those specified. This he thought very objectionable.
LORD HOUGHTONsaid, this was intended to apply to any Act not formally repealed. He hoped Her Majesty's Government would yet bring in a Bill which would regulate the oath to be taken by all persons. The present Bill applied to England only, and any improvement ought to extend to Scotland and Ireland.
§ Bill reported, without Amendment; and to be read 3ª on Thursday next.
§ House adjourned at half past Seven o'clock, to Thursday next, half past Ten o'clock.