HC Deb 10 June 1872 vol 211 cc1553-4

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed to Question [4th June], "That the Bill be now read a second time;" and which Amendment was, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day three months."—(Mr. Dickinson.)

Question again proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

Debate resumed.

MR. OSBORNE

Sir, I wish to put a Question to the right hon. Gentleman at the head of the Government, and the importance of the Question must be my excuse for putting it at this late hour (5 minutes past 12). I wish to ask him, whether he is in receipt of any intelligence upon the American question? ["Order, order!"]—

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member will have another opportunity of putting the Question when the usual Motion is made for the Adjournment of the House.

MR. OSBORNE

I am not going to put the Question upon the Bishops Resignation Bill. I only wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is in receipt of intelligence on the American question? There is a statement to be made in "another place," and it is only proper that this House should have an explanation upon this most important subject. ["Order, order!"]—

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is not in Order in putting the Question at the present time.

MR. OSBORNE

Then I will put it on the Order of the Day.

MR. MONK

said, he would appeal to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Dickinson) to withdraw his Amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day three months, and would suggest to the Prime Minister that the operation of the Bill should be limited to three years. He had also an objection as to the amount of payment to be made to the diocesan of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he would state that the diocesan acting for the Archbishop of Canterbury would receive £4,000 a-year for performing not primatial, but diocesan duties. He would at once admit that there were one or two points on which the Bill wanted consideration, and that, therefore, he should be perfectly willing to limit the operation of the Bill, but not, he thought, to so short a period as three years. He would suggest that the Bill should be read the second time, and that the Committee upon it should be postponed until there was time to consider those matters.

MR. T. HUGHES

said, he hoped it was not intended to make the Bishops and clergy a distinct class by such measures as this. The Bishops and clergy taught the laity that it was their duty to provide for their old age out of their incomes, and he was sure they would be the last persons to say that the same rule should not be applied to themselves.

MR. DICKINSON

said, he would withdraw his Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for Thursday 20th June.