§ MR. E. P. BOUVERIE moved that the Speaker leave the Chair, with a view to moving in Committee of the whole House for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal certain portions of the Act of Uniformity. He said that the position of this question was now somewhat altered as compared with last year when he had the honour of introducing a Bill on the question. Last year an Act was passed with reference to the subscription of the clergy. That Act re- 848 pealed one of the clauses of the University Clauses Act which required the same declaration to be taken by all clerical persons. The form therefore in which he should now draw his Bill would not be as heretofore, to except the fellows of colleges at the University, but simply to repeal two clauses of the Act of Uniformity, which required the heads of colleges, and heads of colleges alone, to make that declaration. He hoped, under these circumstances, his right hon. Friend opposite (Mr. Walpole), who had hitherto opposed him, would now be disposed to assist him.
§ MR. WALPOLEsaid, he would not oppose the Motion, as it would be desirable they should see the Bill, but he did not suppose that the alteration could recommend it more than the former Bill, or that he could do otherwise than oppose it.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Resolved, That the Chairman be directed to move the House, that leave be given to bring in a Bill to repeal certain portions of the Act of Uniformity.
§ House resumed.
§ Resolution reported:—Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. BOUVERIE and Mr. DUDLEY FORTESCUE.