HC Deb 24 May 1889 vol 336 c935
* COLONEL SANDYS (Bootle Division of Lancashire)

presented a petition, signed by 22,225 inhabitants of suburbs of London, calling attention to the growth of conventional and monastic institutions. The hon. Member was proceeding to read the petition at length, when

COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)

rose to order, and asked whether the hon. Member was regular in reading the petition?

* MR. SPEAKER

What is unusual is that the hon. Member should read the terms instead of merely giving the substance of the petition.

* COLONEL SANDYS

Then I will simply explain that the petition prays for a Commission to inquire into the condition of convents and monastic institutions, and for the passing of a law to secure the liberty of the subject.

MR. S. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)

May I ask the hon. Member—

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

The petition was ordered to lie on the Table.