§ (Mr. Bradlaugh, Sir John Simon, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Courtney Kenny, Mr. Burt, Mr. Coleridge, Mr. Illingworth, Mr. Richard, Colonel Eyre, Mr. Jesse Collings.)
§ COMMITTEE. [Progress, 13th June.]
§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ Clause 1 (affirmation may be made instead of oath).
§ Amendment proposed, in page 1, line 5, after the word "person," to insert the words "excepting those who state they have no religious belief."—(Mr. Norris.)
§ Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted."
§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)said, the question before the Committee was that of the Amendment which he had moved a week ago and which he hoped would to-day be accepted. He would not disguise from the Committee that his Amendment should be construed as the outcome of his desire to cripple the Bill, and be would add that he should be very glad if that result was to be attained. But apart from that, there were many difficulties which would be created by the Bill. It had been pointed out by the hon. and learned Member for Deptford (Mr. Darling), on a previous occasion, that it would have the effect of causing much difficulty in the Law Courts, if people of all persuasions, such as Hindoos and Mahommedans, were to insist 780 on other forms of affirmation. On the second reading of the Bill, an hon. Member had stated that he was prepared to stand up before God and his fellow-men and declare that he would do that which was right. That was what he (Mr. Norris) thought they had an opportunity of doing now; every Member who had been elected for any constituency in the Kingdom under those circumstances had taken his seat in that House without difficulty. He was not opposed to the freedom of the Press, or the freedom of the subject in any other walk or position in life; but in a case of this kind there was a line to be drawn, and he did think it was for the House to put some limit upon the application of the principle of the Bill. As he had stated, it was his intention, and that of his hon. Friends, to contest the Bill step by step. On the other hand he did not wish to impart into his remarks any references of a personal character. There were considerations of a higher nature involved here, and he could not but think that this Bill would have the effect of undermining that faith which was inherited by and believed in by the English people. He thought it would be a good thing if the Committee would follow the manly words spoken by the present Emperor of Germany in his address to his people—that they should set an example to nations, "foster piety and the fear of God," and be the true guardians of the rights of the people.
§ Question put.
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 108; Noes 205: Majority 97.—(Div. List, No. 171.)
§ It being half after Five of the clock, the Chairman left the Chair to make his Report to the House.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Wednesday next.