HC Deb 25 May 1857 vol 145 cc899-900

Order of the Day that the House do go into Committee on this Bill, read.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, the Government intended to adopt the suggestion of his noble Friend behind him (Lord J. Russell), and to take charge of this Bill; and if there was no objection on the part of any hon. Member, he would now propose to go into Committee upon the Bill.

MR. HAMILTON

said, it was very material that the House should know, before it proceeded with the Bill, what was the real state of the case with regard to the property and funds in the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in Ireland. Some Returns on the subject for which he had moved would be laid before the House in a few days, and he believed they would show that there had been a serious mistake in the representations of some hon. Members. He therefore thought it would not be desirable to go into Committee until they were in possession of those Returns.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

assented.

Committee deferred till Thursday.

House adjourned at half-after Twelve o'clock till Thursday.