§ MR. PEEL moved for leave to introduce a Bill to indemnify such persons in the United Kingdom as have omitted to qualify themselves for offices and employments, and to extend the time limited for these purposes accordingly.
§ MR. HADFIELDasked, Whether it was a dignified course for the House to pass every year these indemnity Bills? He believed that if the Government had taken up a measure for abolishing the old qualification such a measure would have passed 625 the Upper House; but the Bill he had submitted had been rejected by the other House of Parliament for the sixth time, for no other reason, that he could conceive, except to punish the humble individual who had charge of the Bill.
MR. PEELsaid, the object of the Bill he was now introducing was not only to grant indemnity to those officials who had not taken the declaration required by the Act of George IV., but also to grant it to those who had not taken the consolidated oath now imposed in lieu of the former oath of allegiance and abjuration. The Bill of the hon. Gentleman had reference exclusively to the declaration under the Act of George IV., and even if passed it would not have dispensed with the necessity of this measure.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to indemnify such persons in the United Kingdom as have omitted to qualify themselves for offices and employments, and to extend the time limited for those purposes respectively, ordered to be brought in by Mr. PEEL and Mr. CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.
§ Bill presented, and read 1°. [Bill 234.]