THE LORD ADVOCATEsaid, he had one or two Amendments to move in Committee, and he should therefore propose that the order for the third reading be discharged and that the Bill be recommitted 1222 as regarded Clauses 3, 5, 7, and 8.
§ MR. M'LARENsaid, he had no wish to take up the time of the House; but there was Clause 3 which as it stood was susceptible of an interpretation which could not have been intended.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Order for Third Reading read and discharged: Bill recommitted in respect of Clauses 3, 5, 7, and 8.
§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Clause 3 (Repeal of Acts 10 Anne, c. 12., and 6 & 7 Vict. c. 61. Appointment of ministers in future).
§ On the Motion of the LORD ADVOCATE, Amendment made in page 2, line 4, by substituting the words "such minister" for "a minister."
§ MR. M'LARENsaid, it still appeared to him that that clause was susceptible of such an interpretation that the Church election committee having half-a-dozen names before it, might strike off first one and then another, until only one person be presented to the congregation, who would thus only have Hobson's choice as respected the choice of their minister. He repeated that that could not have been intended. He might add that he would be willing to accept any words proposed by the Lord Advocate which would answer the purpose of his Amendment, and of other Amendments of which he had given Notice.
§ Further Amendments made.
§ Bill reported; as amended considered; read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.