§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the terms of the Catholic Disabilities Removal Bill which was introduced by the hon. Member for Kilkenny in several successive years on behalf of the Irish Party; and whether he is prepared to offer facilities for the carrying into law of this Bill, or will the Government introduce a Bill to the same purpose.
§ LORD EDMUND TALBOT (Sussex, Chichester)I beg also to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government will on an early date introduce legislation repealing such statutory enactments affecting Roman Catholics as place them in a disadvantageous and inferior position compared with other religious bodies in the country.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.My attention had not previously been called to the Bill referred to. The Government have no present intention of introducing legislation in this matter, and as I announced before the recess they cannot give facilities to any measure which is not of a wholly non-controversial character. They will be prepared to give full consideration to any proposals to relieve Roman Catholics, or any other religious denomination from legal disabilities which give rise to practical grievance.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the very strong feeling upon this subject, he could not see his way to grant facilities for legislation proposed by private Members: and whether it was not a fact that in 1891 the late Mr. Gladstone himself introduced a measure for the purpose of relieving Catholics of certain disabilities; whether that measure was not eloquently supported by the present Prime Minister and the whole Liberal Party, and only failed to become law because it was unitedly and strenuously opposed by the Conservative Party then in power.
§ MR. ASQUITHI think the Bill to which the hon. Member refers was one to remove the disability of the Lord-Lieutenant and also of the Lord Chancellor. I strongly supported that Bill, and should do so again. But I cannot promise more at present than to give full consideration to any proposal brought forward.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDsaid that in consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, he would himself reintroduce the Bill, which had been before the House for many years. He added that it was generally expected that the Government would give facilities.
§ LORD EDMUND TALBOTArising out of the very unsatisfactory reply of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask the Prime Minister whether He will give a day to discuss the conduct of the Government in regard to the action they took with reference to the recent intended procession.
§ MR. ASQUITHNo, Sir, certainly not, unless the Leader of the Opposition desires it.
§ MR. MOOREWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries into the disabilities that Protestants suffer from Roman Catholic Spain?
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDinvited the right hon. Gentleman to be good enough to bear in mind the very strong feeling which had been aroused over this question, for the disability which Catholics suffered was regarded by a great number of the population as little short of a disgrace to the name of civilisation.