HL Deb 09 April 1835 vol 27 cc987-8

The Duke of Richmond moved that this Bill be read a Third Time.

Motion agreed to.

The Earl of Wicklow moved an Amendment to the eighth clause, the object of which was to make the Bill extend to Ireland. He said, that it had been his intention to propose a clause that would have abolished all oaths to be taken by persons connected with the gaols and fever hospitals of Ireland, but as he had not been present when the Bill went through its earlier stages, he should not do so now. This Bill set a precedent, which he was sure must be more extensively followed up, and larger alterations must be made in the law relating to oaths. He was convinced that in the course of the next Session the Government must take up the matter. He should, therefore, refrain from pressing his more extensive Amendment, and should confine himself to the introduction of one word that would make the Bill applicable to Ireland. As the clause now stood, it contained only the words "turnpike roads," and "highways." There were but few of the first, and the last would not be taken to include roads, at least so he was informed by the lawyers of Ireland. He, therefore, moved that the word "roads" be added to the clause.

The Duke of Richmond

had not the least objection to the proposed alteration.

The Bishop of London

said, that their Lordships must not consider their work as done, but must look on what had been done as an encouragement to further labours. They must appoint a Committee to inquire into the subject. The time of the appointment of the Committee would be when the Government took the matter, as they must do, into their own hands, with a view to make an extensive alteration of the present system, an alteration which was required by the best interests of religion and morality.

Lord Brougham

thought, that the clause desired by the noble Earl relative to the oaths taken by persons connected with gaols and fever hospitals might be introduced as an Amendment in a single line of the Bill, or there might afterwards be a Bill with one clause passed for the purpose in the present Session, for this Bill like others had a clause declaring, that the Bill might be amended in the present Session.

The Duke of Richmond

had proposed this Bill as the beginning of a Reform on this subject, that he hoped would before long relieve the Statute-book from the great majority of oaths now required in different cases.

The Earl of Wicklow

did not wish to introduce his clause by way of Amendment at this stage of the Bill, and perhaps the necessity for a short Bill, as suggested by the noble and learned Lord, might be avoided, as perhaps the Bill might be returned to them from the Commons so amended.

The Clause agreed to, and the Bill was passed.