HC Deb 18 June 1833 vol 18 cc976-8

Sir Andrew Agnew moved for leave to bring in a Bill, or Bills, to amend the laws relating to the Observance of the Lord's Day in Scotland.

Lord Althorp

did not object to leave being given to bring in the Bill, but advised the hon. Member not to press it, as it would be utterly impossible to get through the subject this Session.

Mr. Hume

thought it a pity to waste the time of the House by bringing in a Bill on this subject at this period of the Session, nor did he see why they should legislate on this subject expressly for the people of Scotland—why should there not be one law for both countries?

Mr. Andrew Johnstone

said, the hon. member for Middlesex appeared to think that any measure brought in for England might be applied to Scotland, but he would inform the hon. Member, that the Bill which had already been thrown out did not go far enough for the people of Scotland. He knew the feelings of the people of Scotland; and he hoped the hon. Baronet would take high ground.

Mr. Rigby Wason

said, it was impossible to consider the subject satisfactorily this Session; and he hoped the noble Lord's good nature would not induce him to permit the time of the House to be wasted by the introduction of a measure of this description.

Mr. Estcourt

thought it would be hard indeed upon the hon. Baronet, who had taken so much time and pains to make himself acquainted with this subject, to refuse him an opportunity of having his Bill discussed, unless, indeed, they were resolved to adopt the same course in all similar cases. He trusted the noble Lord would not allow himself to be influenced by the statements of hon. Members; but allow the Bill to be brought in and receive a fair discussion.

Mr. Pryme

did not think it desirable that there should be any variation between the laws for England and Scotland in this particular.

Mr. Cumming Bruce

said, he had seconded the Motion of his hon. friend without pledging himself as to its details. He confessed, however, that he was surprised at the course taken by the hon. member for Middlesex, which, after all, was vox, et prœterea nihil. That hon. Member should bear in mind, that however he might have been opposed to the hon. Baronet's Bill with respect to this country, the people of Scotland were of a different religion, and were governed by a different ecclesiastical law, and that therefore those regulations which might be inexpedient here, might be very wise and effective in that country.

Mr. Potter

said, that the hon. Member opposite (Mr. Johnstone) had said, that the Bill formerly introduced by the hon. Baronet did not go far enough for the people of Scotland, and they all knew what sort of a Bill that was, and how it was received both in doors and out of doors. From this statement, the House might judge what sort of a Bill the hon. Baronet proposed to introduce now.

Sir Andrew Agnew

said, he did not wish to introduce a new law, but to amend existing laws.

The House divided: Ayes 73; Noes 60—Maiority 13.

List of the NOES.
Aglionby, H. A. Fitzsimon, C.
Attwood, T. Fitzsimon, N.
Barry, G. S. Grote, G.
Benett, John Hawkins, J. H.
Bish, T. Heathcote, J.
Blake, J. M. Hill, M. D.
Buckingham, J. S. Kennedy, T. F.
Chapman, M. L. Lalor, P.
Chaytor, Sir W. Lamont, N.
Childers, J. W. Lloyd, J. H.
Collier, J. Lynch, A. H.
Cornish, J. Maxfield, W.
Davies, Colonel Maxwell, Sir J.
Evans, Colonel Morrison, J.
Evans, G. Mullins, F.
Ewart, W. Ord, W.
Fielden, J. Oswald, R. A.
Finn, W. F. Parrott, J.
Perrin, Sergeant Scrope, P.
Peter, W. Sheppard, T.
Philips, M. Strutt, E.
Potter, R. Thicknesse, R.
Pryme, G. Walker, C. A.
Rickford, W. Wallace, R.
Rippon, C. Warburton, H.
Roebuck, J. A. Ward, H. G.
Romilly, E. Williams, G.
Ronayne, D. Williamson, Sir H.
Ruthven, E. TEILERS.
Ruthven, E. S. Hume, Joseph
Scholefield, J. Wason, R.

Leave given.