§ Sir A. L. Haysaid, it would be recollected that when the hon. Gentleman the Member for Argyll proposed to proceed with his bill, the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for the Home Department said, that overtures had been made by the Government to prevent the disunion which was now existing in Scotland, and that these overtures were of such a nature as to make it probable that her Majesty's Ministers would introduce a bill upon the subject. He would now ask whether it were their intention to bring forward any measure for the purpose of settling these unfortunate and disgraceful disputes?
§ Sir James Grahammight be allowed to observe, that the question was somewhat premature. The general assembly of the Church of Scotland was now sitting, the business before them was of great importance, and whilst they were sitting it would be premature to make any declaration as to those proceedings. There would be time enough before the day on which the hon. Member had given notice to proceed with his bill (June 2), to state whether it should be considered desirable for her Majesty's Government to make themselves responsible for a measure to heal those divisions in the Church of Scotland, which he, in common with the gallant Officer, deplored.