HC Deb 01 April 1895 vol 32 cc601-2
MR. J. AIRD (Paddington, N.)

I beg to ask the Chairman of the Select Committee of Public Petitions if he can inform the House the number of Petitions up to date against the Welsh Disestablishment Bill; and if possible, the number of Petitioners, and, if the same information can be given as regards the Petitions in favour of the Bill?

SIR C. DALRYMPLE (Ipswich)

The number of Petitions presented against the Established Church (Wales) Bill up to date is 1,024, containing 204,560 signatures. No Petitions have been presented in favour of the Bill.

MR. AIRD

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if the return made includes Wales, and if, therefore, we may take it that no Petition has been received from Wales in favour of the Welsh Disestablishment Bill?

SIR C. DALRYMPLE

I cannot add to the answer I have given.

MR. REES DAVIES (Pembrokeshire),

asked if it was not the fact that a very large number of the signatures were illiterates.

[No reply was given.]