HC Deb 18 May 1857 vol 145 c478

MR. KINNAIRD moved, that the Petition of the Protestant missionaries of Bengal (presented in February last) be printed with the Votes.

MR. WILSON

hoped the House would not agree to the printing of the Petition unless the hon. Gentleman intended to found a Motion upon it. Such was the rule.

MR. KINNAIRD

said, several hon. Gentlemen had asked him for a copy of the petition, in order that they might thoroughly understand the subject, which it was his intention to bring before the House on a future occasion, and of which he had already given notice. That was the reason that he moved the printing of the Petition.

MR. HENLEY

said, the Petition was represented to be as large as a pamphlet, and perhaps that was the reason that there might be a desire to have it printed at the expense of the House. Unless the hon. Gentleman opposite meant to bring forward a Motion on the subject, he would oppose the printing of the Petition, and he hoped the Government would adhere to the rule they had laid down, and not consent to the Motion.

MR. KINNAIRD

said, the Petition was certainly long, for it included grievances which were brought under the notice of Parliament by a number of missionaries of all denominations assembled at Calcutta. He had already given notice of his intention to call the attention of the House to the allegations of the Petition on the 28th instant.

Motion agreed to. Petition of Protestant Missionaries residing in and near Calcutta, in the Presidency of Bengal [presented 20th February] to be printed.