HC Deb 25 March 1867 vol 186 cc558-9

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

MR. WHALLEY

said, he wished to call attention to one effect of this Bill, which was that magistrates would be called upon under it to determine the religion of the children sent to such schools, and that the certificate of their baptism would be held as satisfactory proof of their religion. This ought to be well considered when the efforts of the Roman Catholic Church to subject children to the rite of baptism without the knowledge of their parents were known to all. For years past there has been an organized system carried on by the Roman Catholics for the surreptitious baptism of children of the working classes, and this Bill was intended to give effect to that system.

SIR ROBERT PEEL

said, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Bill was introduced on the authority of the Government?

LORD NAAS

This is not a Bill, it is merely a formal Resolution. Resolved, That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, of a contribution towards the cost of the custody and maintenance of Children, and of the expenses of their removal in certain cases, in pur- suance of the provisions of any Act of the present Session relating to Industrial Schools in Ireland.

House resumed.

Resolution to be reported To-morrow.