PROTESTANT DISSENTING MINISTERS BILL. (Hansard, 17 May 1811)

§ Viscount Sidmouth
moved the second reading of this Bill. [For a copy of the Bill, see vol. 19, p. 1133.]

§ Earl Stanhope
urged the impropriety of suffering a Bill of such importance to pass through its principal stage, after so short an interval, in so thin a House, and after the remaining peers had been so long engaged in closely attending to another business. He thought it would be proper to allow a considerable interval before the second reading, in order that the measure might be more generally considered throughout the country, and to afford those to be affected by it an opportunity of laying their sentiments before parliament on the subject.

§ Earl Grey
also requested that the second reading might be postponed, both for the reason suggested by his noble friend, and also to give time to those numerous and respectable classes of men, who conceived themselves affected by the provisions of the Bill, to petition the House. It was highly important that the Bill should receive the fullest discussion and examination not only with regard to its own provisions, but in the view that it might lead to future violations of the Toleration Act. He regretted that his noble friend should 197 have brought forward the measure, particularly at a period like the present, when so many circumstances required that religious dissentions should, if possible, be prevented. He hoped the noble viscount would consent not only to the postponement of the Bill for a few days, but until next session, as in many parts, particularly in that part of the country with which he (earl Grey) was peculiarly connected, and where there were many sectaries, but consisting of persons most zealously attached to the constitution, they had not had time to consider the provisions of the Bill.

§ Viscount Sidmouth
called to the recollection of the noble lords, that it was generally understood the Bill should be read a second time this day, but that the debate on the principle of the measure was not to take place before Tuesday; and on this understanding many noble peers had absented themselves, who would otherwise have attended. Neither would the discussion of a measure of so much importance be proper in so thin an attendance as that at the present time. With respect to what was said of the sentiments of those likely to be affected by the Bill, he had conversed with several, who approved of the measure. Neither were there any who could justly complain of its being unexpected; as, it was well known that for two successive sessions he had expressly given notice of his intention to propose such a measure. However, he did not wish to press the order at present, and therefore would move that instead of now, the Bill be read a second time on Tuesday next.

The Earl of Rosslyn
suggested that the Berkeley peerage stood again for Tuesday, and that they might probably sit late in the committee of privileges.

§ The Earl of Buckinghamshire
observed, that however important the Berkeley peerage case might be to an individual, the Bill of his noble friend was of much greater general importance.

Earl Grosvenor
approved of the principle of the Bill, and thought it would tend to strengthen the established church, and make religion in general more respectable and respected.

§ Lord Redesdale
observed, that the Bill certainly seemed to agitate greatly the public mind; yet a measure formed upon similar principles and proposed by himself some years since in another place, seemed to meet with general approbation. 198 In the committee the provisions of the Bill might be discussed, and whatever was deemed objectionable amended.