§ MR. MONSELLsaid, it would be in the recollection of the House that in 1853, when the Charities Act passed through the House, the Roman Catholic charities were exempted for two years, on the ground that, without some previous legislation on the subject, those charities would be confiscated if they were brought under the operation of that Act, by reason of the disclosures that would thus be made. Since then there had been several Bills continuing the exemption. The exemption at present existing was on the point of expiring, and he wished to know if there was to be any legislation this year.
§ MR. ADDERLEYsaid, Her Majesty's Government had not contemplated the necessity of another Act for continuing the exemption of these Roman Catholic charities, in the hope that by further conference with. Roman Catholic Members a Bill might have been passed this Session for dealing permanently with the subject. At this late period, however, there was no hope of passing a Bill this Session, but he trusted it would be possible in the next. He, therefore, proposed to introduce a Bill continuing for one year longer the exemption of the Roman Catholic charities.