HC Deb 14 August 1857 vol 147 cc1703-4

Order for Committee read.

MR. WIGRAM

said, the continuance of these exceptions with reference to Roman Catholic charities was very unsatisfactory. When the noble Lord the Member for the City of London was at the head of the Government he distinctly pledged himself to continue the exceptions for two years and no longer.

MR. KINNAIRD

reminded the House that a distinct pledge was given last year that the subject should be dealt with in the present Session.

MR. BAINES

said, a pledge was certainly given in the last Session, not that the exemption should cease this year, but that the Government would do their best to settle the question. A Bill was accordingly introduced with that object, but a Committee of the House of Lords, to which it was referred, reported that in consequence of the importance of the question it would be impossible to legislate in the present year. They therefore recommended that the whole subject should stand over until next Session, and that there should be a Continuance Bill for one year.

MR. NEWDEGATE

said, those who consented to the former Bills—and he was one of the number—were very anxious that active measures should be taken to settle the matter.

House in Committee.

Clause 1,

MR. WIGRAM moved the substitution of the 1st of June for the 1st of September. 1858, as the period of exemption.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, he hoped the Committee would not limit the period within which a Bill was to be introduced next year.

MR. MALINS

suggested the withdrawal of the Amendment, because the Government had now sufficient notice that something must be done in the next Session.

Amendment withdrawn. Bill passed through Committee.

House resumed. Bill reported without Amendment; to be read 3° Tomorrow.