The LORD CHANCELLORbrought in a Bill to relieve Her Majesty's subjects from certain penalties and disabilities in regard to their religious opinions; and he moved that it be read the first time.
LORD CAMPBELLasked the noble and learned Lord whether this Bill was in accordance with the recommendations of the Commissioners who had been appointed to inquire into this subject? He understood the Commissioners had actually framed a Bill for this very purpose, which Bill was now upon the files of the Court of Chancery.
The LORD CHANCELLOR, in reply, said, that no such Bill as that referred to was upon the files of the Court of Chancery. His noble and learned Friend was correct in stating that the Commissioners had framed a Bill; but the Bill now brought into the House was not the Bill recommended by the Commissioners; because it appeared to him better that the Commissioners' measure should be divided into two. The Bill now before the House formed one of those two measures; the other, which related to the oaths of supremacy, allegiance, and abjuration, would form matter for subsequent consideration. 440 As the two subjects appeared to him to be distinct, he had requested the learned gentleman at the head of the Commission, Sir Edward Ryan, to divide the Bill recommended by the Commissioners; and the present was one of the Bills so divided.
§ Bill read 1a.
§ House adjourned.