§ LORD PORTMANsaid, in consequence of an announcement which had been made in the other House of Parliament by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to propose at the commencement of the next Session a plan for the settlement of the church-rate question, he thought it would be presumptuous in him to lay on the table a Bill relating to that subject as he had intended to do. As long as the intentions of the Government remained doubtful, he considered it his duty to assist in resolving those doubts by placing his measure before the House; but under the altered circumstances he felt that it would be wrong in him to take that course. He had no objection to communicate to his noble Friend at the head of the Government the scheme which, after consultation with a great many people holding different opinions on the subject, he had intended to propose. His sole object was to assist in the settlement of the question, and the main feature of his plan was, that the rate for the fabric would be thrown upon Churchmen, and Nonconformists would be relieved from all compulsory payment. He thought there was a mode of doing that which would be satisfactory to both parties. He proposed that the rate should be exclusively for the fabric, and that the expense of the services should be provided for in another mode. He proposed that those who declined to pay church rates should not be eligible to vote in vestry on church business.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYsaid, he thought his noble Friend had overstated the effect of the statement of his right hon. Friend in the House of Commons. His right hon. Friend did not say more than that it was the hope and intention of Her Majesty's Government to propose some means of grap- 1351 pling with this most difficult question. It would have been saying more than could have been said on the part of the Government to give a pledge, on their behalf, at that moment, that they would submit to Parliament a Bill. They certainly did intend to give their attention to the subject and, if possible, to bring in a measure, and as the subject was one of such very great importance, and on which such a variety of opinions was entertained, he should feel grateful to his noble Friend (Lord Portman) if, notwithstanding that it was the intention of the Government to deal with the question, he would lay his Bill on the table, and thus enable them to derive assistance from the examination of its provisions. He perceived that in the other House of Parliament notice had been given by an hon. Gentleman wholly unconnected with the Government of his intention to bring forward a measure for the commutation of church rates; and the more attention was bestowed on the subject the greater probability would there be of their arriving at a satisfactory conclusion.