HC Deb 04 March 1857 vol 144 cc1875-6

Order for Second Reading read.

MR. COBDEN

asked whether at that late hour (four o'clock) the right hon. Member for Droitwich thought it advisable to press this Bill?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

said, he had fully intended proceeding with the Bill that day, but, under all the circumstances of the present time, he thought it was not desirable that he should now move the second reading.

MR. HADFIELD

presented several petitions against the Bill, and moved that three of the petitions be read by the Clerk at the table.

The Clerk accordingly read a petition from Manchester. He was proceeding to read a second petition, when

MR. ADDERLEY rose, and asked the Speaker whether it was competent to a Member to move that any number of petitions he might present should be read at the table?

MR. SPEAKER

replied, that, according to the Standing Orders, any Member presenting a petition might, if he desired it, have it read by the Clerk at the table. This was a matter left to the discretion of hon. Members. If, however, hon. Members were to insist upon the right of having all petitions read at the table, unless when they related to very important questions, the whole time of the House might be occupied in listening to them.

MR. HADFIELD

had made the proposal because he was anxious that the House should hear the sentiments of the petitioners.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON moved the postponement of the Order to Wednesday next, and said that copies of some of the petitions against the Bill had been forwarded to him, and he thought that he would be able to show that they were not entitled to the weight which was attached to them by some hon. Gentlemen.

MR. HADFIELD

observed that there was a very strong feeling in the country against the measure, which was considered to involve such an affront to the religious sentiments of the community as had not been offered in modern times.

In reply to Mr. HENLEY,

SIR J. PAKINGTON

said, he could not state positively whether he would proceed with the Bill next Wednesday or not, but he would give fair notice of the time at which it would be brought before the House.

Second Reading deferred till Wednesday next.