§ Lord John Russellmoved the Order of the Day for bringing up the Report on the Registration of Births and Marriages Bills. The noble Lord observed that several amendments had been made in these Bills. The right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Goulburn) objected to the provisions of the Bill. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would consent to take the sense of the House upon those objections on the third reading.
Mr. Goulburnwas understood to say that, if considered more convenient, he should dicuss the provisions to which he objected on the third reading.
Lord Stanleythought the House was bound to take into its consideration the situation in which a class of persons, the parish clerks, would be placed by this Bill. Some of those persons received in fees from 100l. to 150l. Now, although he could easily imagine it might not be desirable that those persons should fill the 598 office of registrars, yet it might be proper, when it could be conveniently done, that those persons should fill those offices. He wished to know whether means could not be taken to afford compensation to those persons?
§ Lord John Russellthought that there would be very great difficulty in providing a remedy for the grievances referred to by the noble Lord. Until the Bill was in operation they could not say what loss those persons would sustain. He did not well know how clauses for compensation could be introduced into the Bill.
§ Report received—Bill to be read a third time.