HC Deb 31 May 1847 vol 92 cc1296-8
MR. DIVETT

inquired what was intended to be done with (as we understood) the Health of Towns Bill.

LORD J. RUSSELL

In answering that question, I beg to remind the hon. Member that I stated on Friday, after having given notice what would be the business I should propose to take in the present week, that I would state further on this day what course we intend to take with respect to other Bills which are on the Table; and I think it will be better that I should take those different Bills in the order in which they now stand, than answer at once the question which the hon. Member has put. One of the first Bills in the Order of the Day is the Registering Births, &c. (Scotland) Bill. I stated with regard to that Bill, and another which is connected with it, before the holidays, either that they should come forward this day or be taken into consideration next Monday; but what I now propose to do is, seeing the state of business, and seeing the great objections that have been made to these Bills in Scotland, to fix them for Monday next as the first thing to be taken, and that my right hon. Friend who brought them forward should then state their general purport, and the reasons for which he thinks they are not liable to the objections which have been made to them in many quarters, and state also what is the shape in which we should wish them to stand; and, after that, we propose not to proceed with them during the present Session of Parliament, but leave them for further consideration in Scotland. With respect to another Bill which stands for to-night—the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Bill—I think it absolutely necessary for the duly carrying on the business before that Commission that some amendment should take place in the composition of the Commission; but, at the same time, I find that the particular mode in which we have proposed that that amendment should be made, has met with strong opposition from persons of the greatest authority in the Church; and, therefore, I mean likewise to leave that Bill for further consideration, and to see whether I cannot by some other mode, or, if necessary, by persevering in the present proposition, carry, in a future Session, a Bill for the purpose of amending the mode of conducting the business of that Commission, affecting, as it does, not only the property of the Church, but affecting great numbers of laymen in this country. Next, with regard to a Bill which has excited a good deal of discussion out of this House, and to which many objections have been stated, but which has been now put into another shape—I mean the Railways Bill—we propose to take the second reading of that Bill on Monday next, unless this urgent question respecting Portugal should interfere. On Thursday, in next week, we should propose to proceed with the English Poor Laws Administration Bill, which is already fixed for that day; and on the Monday following, the 14th, we propose to go into Committee on the Health of Towns Bill. Those are the principal Bills which now remain for the consideration of the House; and this disposes of the time up to the 14th of June, and answers the question of my hon. Friend. He asks whether, that Bill being liable to many objections in its details, we mean to persevere with it? My answer is, that we do think that Bill of very essential importance; and I trust that, although it may create a good deal of discussion in this House, the objections do not affect the principle of the Bill, and that we may be able to arrange the details in Committee; and I do hope to see it carried in this Session.

MR. E. DENISON

had heard with great regret that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Bill was to be withdrawn, and it made it necessary for him to prefer a request to the noble Lord. He had expressed his anxiety for a reform with the consent of the Commission, or through the intervention of Her Majesty's Government; but, as he had no hope of such a measure in the present Session, he trusted, considering the frequent postponements which had taken place to meet the noble Lord's views, that the noble Lord would still give him an opportunity of bringing forward his Motion for an inquiry into the composition and management of the Ecclesiastical Commission.

LORD T. RUSSELL,

when there was so much business before the House, could not give the hon. Gentleman a day for the purpose of making that Motion; but he would afford the hon. Gentleman an opportunity of stating his views, if the hon. Gentleman thought proper on a Notice-day to bring the subject before the House.