§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.
§ LORD ABINGERsaid, that he thought the Bill was one of too extensive an operation 1860 and involved a question of too much importance to be passed in the hasty manner proposed. The measure could only be properly understood by those who had studied the statutes connected with the subject. The measure was well calculated to excite the apprehensions of Protestants that it would legalise certain Roman Catholic charities, which by former statutes were declared illegal. He thought that a system of registration in respect to those charities should be adopted, in order that the nature of them should be publicly known before the title became absolute. He moved that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee.
§ Amendment moved, to leave out from "Bill" to the end of the Motion, and insert "be referred to a Select Committee."
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, that the object of the Bill was simply to remove the doubts at present existing as to the legality of Roman Catholic charities created prior to the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Act, and to place those charities upon the same footing as those of Protestant Dissenters.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, there was naturally much anxiety abroad, lest the measure should be perverted to the relaxation of the provisions of the Relief Act, for the purpose of setting up convents, or similar religious houses, within the United Kingdom. Now, when we saw so strong a desire manifested to put down convents and monasteries, even in Italy itself, it was not to be wondered at that the people of this country should feel alarmed at the announcement of any measure which they believed would encourage the establishment of such institutions within this kingdom.
§ Motion (by leave of the House) withdrawn; then the original Motion was agreed to; Bill read 3a accordingly, and passed, and sent to the Commons.
§ House adjourned to Thursday next.