§ Sir G. Murraypresented a Petition from the Presbytery of Dunblane, praying that in the Reform Bill provision should be made that the Ministers of the Church of Scotland might have the power of voting for a Representative in Parliament. He was himself not favourable to 1349 giving the elective franchise to the clergymen of the Church of Scotland, because doing so would bring them into collision with the people at elections, and thus lower their character, which at present stood very high, owing to the fact, that in no instance was any opportunity afforded of bringing them into unpleasant collision with their parishioners. He could not support the prayer of the petition. If, however, the clergymen of the Church of Scotland thought that they ought to be represented, and were desirous to be so, he should wish to see them represented as the Church of England was —in the House of Peers by means of her dignitaries, and in the Commons, by the Members for her Universities. He did not advocate change, but as the Ministers were about to make a great change, that ought to be made as perfect as possible. On this principle he must contend, that Scotch cities and towns with upwards of 20,000 inhabitants, which by the new Bill would be left unrepresented, ought to have Members given to them. As he perceived that another Member was to be given to the University of Dublin, he recommended Ministers to give the same advantage to the Universities of Scotland.
Sir Alexander Hopecordially agreed with his right hon. friend. To take the clergy of Scotland from the exclusive performance of their clerical duties, would be a great injury to them and their flocks. At the same time he wished to see their interests represented and taken care of in Parliament.
§ Mr. Hart Davisthought some of the observations of the right hon. Baronet (Sir G. Murray) was levelled at the clergymen of the Church of England, who, he was persuaded, formed as zealous a body of clergymen as were to be found in the world.
§ Mr. Robert Grantsaid, that the Representation of the Scotch Church was a question still open; and he might also state, that the plan of giving a Member to the Scotch Universities was under the consideration of his Majesty's Ministers.
§ Petition to be printed.