§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYMy Lords, I hope there will be no objection to the renewal of this Bill; but I hope also that this will be, if not the last, yet very nearly the last time, that such a Bill will be necessary. The whole question of oaths is at present under the consideration of a Commission, and I hope that the Report of that Commission will be such that no oaths need in future be imposed, except those which all persons may take conscientiously and without difficulty. It is not very creditable to our legislation that we should pass Acts requiring oaths to be taken, and then year after year pass other Acts dispensing with those oaths. Of course, however, at this present time several persons are still subject to penalties imposed by the existing law, and I hope therefore that your Lordships will assent to the passing of this Bill of Indemnity.
§ Bill read 2a (according to Order); Committee negatived; Standing Orders Nos. 37 and 38 considered (according to Order) and dispensed with; Bill read 3a and passed.