§ Mr. A. Campbellmoved for leave to bring in a bill to regulate the exercise of church patronage in Scotland. As he understood no opposition would be offered to his 497 motion, he would not with any observations.
§ Sir J. Grahamcould not allow a bill on so important a subject to be introduced in perfect silence. Her Majesty's Government would not offer any opposition to the motion of the hon. Member, but he did not wish it to be supposed that Government were prepared to legislate on this important question. At the same time, when an hon. Member who had bestowed so much attention on the subject, and who was so competent to grapple with its difficulties, tendered a legislative measure to the House on a question in which the feelings of the people of Scotland were so deeply interested, it was not the intention of Government to oppose the introduction of the bill.
§ Sir A. L. Haysaid, after what had occurred previous to Easter, he was glad the Government was prepared to consent to the introduction of the bill of the hon. Gentleman.
§ Bill brought in and read a first time.
§ Leave given.