MR. VERNON SMITHwished to know whether the Government intended to proceed on Wednesday with the Bill on Church Rates introduced by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the University of Cambridge. The second reading had been fixed for Wednesday, but as that would be Ash Wednesday, he presumed the House would not meet till two o'clock.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid his right hon. Friend the Member for the University of Cambridge had undertaken to proceed with the Bill which he had introduced on Church Rates as a Government Bill, as he had taken a particular interest in it; but if the house did not wish it to be proceeded with on Wednesday he could not make any arrangements as to its postponement until he had consulted with the hon. Baronet the Member for Tavistock, (Sir J. Trelawny,) whose Bill on the same subject stood next in the paper.
§ MR. BRIGHTsaid, he would ask when it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the Church Rates Bill; those who were interested in the measure had a right to know, and he wished to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman had made up his mind?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he had made up his mind long ago. It was an act of courtesy by no means uncommon that whenever any Member had retired from the Government he was at liberty to continue to conduct a Bill, if he desired to do so. The measure was a Government measure and they were prepared to proceed with it.
§ MR. HUTTsaid, he thought it would be very convenient if the right hon Gentleman opposite would state what course he intended to pursue on Wednesday with respect to the Bill.
§ MR. WALPOLEreplied, that it was his intention to move the second reading of the Bill on Wednesday. The hon. Member for Tavistock had given notice of a Motion for its rejection. The discussion would take place in the regular way.