HC Deb 18 April 1872 vol 210 cc1472-3
MR. FAWCETT

said, he wished to give a short Notice with reference to a statement made by the Prime Minister on Tuesday, and a Question which was then put to him. The Prime Minister announced that it was the intention of the noble Lord the Chief Secretary for Ireland (the Marquess of Hartington) to move an Instruction to the Committee on the University Tests (Dublin) Bill that the Bill be divided into two portions. The right hon. Gentleman went on to ask him whether he was prepared to accept that Instruction, and that, if so, he would facilitate his passing the Bill as one for abolition of Tests, pure and simple. Now, he (Mr. Fawcett) had stated in reply that it was impossible for him to accept the proposition of the Government. It seemed to him that this was a question to be left to the House. ["Order!"] He would not enter into any controversial matter. If the Government would smooth the way for the House to come to a decision on the subject, he should be prepared to follow that decision; but he must do all he could to pass the Bill as it now stood.