§ MR. HADFIELDasked the Attorney General whether it is intended to bring in a Bill to amend the Mortmain laws in England, and to assimilate the laws there to those of Scotland and Ireland, and especially to give facilities to transactions for charitable institutions connected with real, leasehold, and copyhold estate, founded upon valuable consideration in money, rent, and otherwise, and whether the same be by way of purchase, mortgage, lease, or otherwise howsoever?
THE ATTORNEY GENERALreplied, that the Government were fully aware of the magnitude and importance of the subject, but they considered that they were not able to deal with it during the present Session with proper regard to its importance. With regard to the Bill referred to, the hon. and learned Member for Durham (Mr. Atherton) had last year introduced a Bill for the purpose of setting aside the present law. That hon. and learned Member had given notice of a similar Bill for the present Session. Last year he (the Attorney General) had given the hon. and learned Member all the assistance in his power, and he would give him the same assistance this year. Beyond this he could not go.
§ MR. HADFIELDWill the Government support the Bill elsewhere if it should pass this House?