§ MR. WHALLEYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the recent riots at Birmingham, Whether he believes or has reason to know that the pamphlet to which his attention has been called by the Mayor of Birmingham contains correct translations from the works of Liguori, Deus, and other Roman Catholic authorities, as supplied to the Royal College of Maynooth and other Roman Catholic schools; and, I assuming the same to be correct translation, whether it is his opinion that the public should be kept in ignorance of the doctrine and practice of auricular confession as the same are set forth and taught in such books?
§ MR. GATHORNE HARDYsaid, the Secretary of State for the Home Department had a great many disagreeable duties to perform, and if he had to verify the translations contained in the most offensive book ever put into his hands, he should certainly, for his part, decline the office altogether. He did not see that his opinion on the Question raised by the hon. Member would be of much value, and he must therefore, with great respect, decline to offer any.