§ MR. WHALLEY, in whose name a Question stood on the Paper as to when the Returns ordered by the House on the 18th of May last relative to Maynooth would be presented, said he had received a communication from the late Secretary for Ireland assigning reasons why, in consequence of some irregularity, those Returns could not be made. He, therefore, wished to express his readiness to concur in any alteration in the Motion made for them which would obviate the objection thus raised.
§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, it had boen deemed desirable that the Returns should not be produced in accordance with the words in which the Motion for them was couched. These words assumed that certain documents were signed by the Roman Catholic Bishops in Ireland, whereas there was no proof that such was the case. The publication of the Returns might, therefore, tend to implicate those Prelates in a breach of the Ecclesiastical Titles Act.
§ MR. WHALLEYWill the hon. Baronet propose any words he may desire to see substituted for others in the Motion?