§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the second reading of the Tithes' Instalment Suspension (Ireland) Bill.
§ Mr. Humethought the House by this measure was giving relief to a body of men who did not deserve it, because they, (the Irish clergy) and their friends in another place, were the parties who had stopped reform in respect to the church establishment of Ireland. They had not come forward to solicit the other House to pass the Bill which would have relieved them, and at the same time done justice; and he thought to entertain the present measure would be to show too strong a disposition to comply with their wishes, especially after the manner in which the measure to which he referred had been treated elsewhere.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerthought it incumbent upon the House, under the circumstances, to pass this Bill. As he had stated on Saturday last, it would not suspend the payment of the instalments in every case, but only in instances where nothing had been received by the clergyman. That suspension only extended to such a period as would enable the Government to take the further pleasure of Parliament upon the subject—namely, the 5th of April, 1836; and without this Bill they would be compelled at once to take proceedings against the whole body of the Irish clergy who had received any advance from the million fund.
§ Bill read a second time.