HC Deb 21 July 1859 vol 155 cc248-9

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."

MR. FREELAND

complained that the interests of the church lessees had been completely ignored in the Bill, and moved the adjournment of the debate.

SIR GEORGE LEWIS

said, that on coming into office he found a comprehensive measure, which he did not think it possible to carry this Session, and the present Bill was simply confined to matters as regarded which there would not be any controversy. He hoped therefore the hon. Gentleman would withdraw his Motion for adjourning the debate, so that the Bill might be read a second time. He would undertake to fix a day for the Committee sufficiently distant to allow of a full consideration of the Bill.

MR. INGHAM

did not recognize the necessity for legislating on this subject at all during the present Session.

MR. DEEDES

trusted his hon. Friend would not press his Motion for adjourn- ment. The fears of hon. Members respecting the Bill were groundless. A strong feeling had been expressed that legislation on this subject should be divided into two parts, and that only those branches of the question as to which no controversy could arise should be included in the measure before the House. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners had every desire to afford opportunity for full discussion upon the general principle.

MR. SELWYN

hoped the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary would not press the Bill. Two of its clauses militated against the rights of cathedral churches, and involved the principle of centralization. He should support the Motion for adjournment.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 62; Noes 75: Majority 13.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read 2° and committed for Thursday next.