§ LORD LYNDHURSTwished to draw their Lordships' attention to a Bill which had been for some time before their Lordships' House—he meant the Religious Disabilities Bill. That Bill had passed through Committee on the understanding that a communication should take place on the subject between himself and a right rev. Prelate (the Bishop of Exeter), and it was now waiting to be recommitted, with a view of considering some Amendments that were intended to be proposed. He had since had an opportunity of meeting that I right rev. Prelate, and had agreed with 1379 him as to some Amendments. He wished at present that their Lordships would consent to go into Committee pro formâ, for the purpose of having the Amendments printed, with one or two ethers which he intended to propose. He understood that Her Majesty's Government were disposed to make this a Government question, to be brought forward as a Government Bill. He was willing to accede to that proposal on the distinct understanding that they would proceed with the measure without any avoidable delay. He hoped, under the circumstances, their Lordships would allow the Bill to pass pro formâ through Committee, in order to have the Amendments printed.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEsaid, he was exceedingly glad that the noble and learned Lord was willing to go on with the measure. He could not have the least hesitation in assuring the noble and learned Lord, on the part of the Government with which he had the honour to be connected, that they would consider this Bill as a Government measure, so far as giving it every facility in their power in its progress through Parliament.
The BISHOP of LONDONsaid, he and his right rev. Friends had not had an opportunity of seeing the Amendments to which the noble and learned Lord alluded, and it was their earnest hope that Her Majesty's Government would not press the third reading of the Bill during the present Session.
§ LORD BEAUMONTsaid, he could not help expressing his surprise at the application made by the right rev. Prelate, especially when he recollected the course which the right rev. Prelate had himself taken when the question was before the House. This question had been for more than three years before their Lordships; and the present Bill had been fully discussed on two occasions this Session, in presence of the right rev. Prelate himself—the right rev. Prelate having spoken on each occasion. On one of these discussions the right rev. Prelate left the House before the termination of the debate; and on the other he declined dividing the House. Both the supremacy of the Crown and the introduction of bulls had been fully discussed. The former of these questions being a matter of fact, could not be affected by any law repealing the penalties to which a person denying that fact was now liable.
The BISHOP of LONDONexplained. The noble Lord appeared to forget that he (the Bishop of London) had no objection to the Bill itself. He was not one of those who thought the Bill should not pass; and the objections which he raised to certain parts of it were, he believed the noble Lord would admit, not urged in a speech of a very polemical character. The ground on which he now asked for a postponement of the measure was, that the bishops were all officially employed in their respective dioceses, so that it was impossible for them to attend in their Lordships' House.
§ LORD LYNDHURSTsaid, that he did not complain of the manner in which the discussion had been carried on on this Bill by the right rev. Prelate. He hoped that they would at once go into Committee pro formâ, and he would then name an early day for its discussion.
§ House in Committee. Amendments made. Report to be received to-morrow.