Lords Sitting of 5 April 1867

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Vice Admiralty Courts Act Amendment *(71); Clerical Vestments (No. 2) * (72).
Second Reading—Religious, &c. Buildings (Sites) (68); Mutiny.
Committee—Lyon King of Arms (Scotland) * (54).
Report—Lyon King of Arms (Scotland)* (54).
Third Reading—Criminal Lunatics* (55), and passed.
Withdrawn—Clerical Vestments * (72).
Royal Assent—Consolidated Fund (£7,924,000) [30 Vict. c. 7]; Sugar Duties [30 Vict. c. 10]; Trades Unions [30 Vict. c. 8]: Dublin University Professorships [30 Vict. c. 9].

RELIGIOUS, &c., BUILDINGS (SITES) BILL—(No. 68.)
(The Lord Cranworth.)
RELIGIOUS, &c., BUILDINGS (SITES) BILL—(No. 68.)

  SECOND READING.
  Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
  LORD CRANWORTH, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, stated that its object was to enable religious and charitable or scientific societies to acquire land for the purposes of their buildings not exceeding two acres in extent without being obliged to comply with the provisions of the Mortmain Act.
  THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he would not oppose the Bill, which, however, seemed very carelessly drawn, and would require considerable amendment in Committee. If it were not amended it would apply to dispositions made by will. He thought also it would be absolutely necessary that all deeds conveying land for such purposes to such societies should be enrolled, and should move a clause to that effect in Committee.
  Motion agreed to: Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.

MUTINY BILL.
(The Earl of Longford.)
MUTINY BILL.

  SECOND READING.
  Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
  THE EARL OF LONGFORD, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, that some formal alterations had been made in the Bill at the instance of the Judge Advocate General, which it would not be necessary to detail; but on the 22nd clause, by which the infliction of corporal punishment was governed, considerable discussion had taken place in the other House, and after some contradictory decision, a new clause had been substituted for that contained in the usual annual Bill. The effect would be to limit the infliction of corporal punishment in time of peace to two offences only—mutiny, and insubordination accompanied by personal violence. He should be very glad himself, as everybody else would be, if corporal punishment could be dispensed with altogether. Like capital punishment, it could only be supported as a painful necessity. The preamble of the Bill explained in reasonable language why summary powers should be placed in the
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  hands of courts martial, and these powers were quite as necessary for the protection of the citizen as for the restraint of the soldier. Law and custom had selected corporal punishment as the mode in which these summary powers should be exercised in preference to carrying into execution sentences of death, which might be the alternative. He did not think it would be judicious at this moment to weaken the authority of those who were responsible for the discipline of the army by abolishing corporal punishment; but their Lordships might rest satisfied that it would only be resorted to when necessity demanded.
  Motion agreed to: Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

  VICE ADMIRALTY COURTS ACT AMENDMENT BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill to extend and amend the Vice Admiralty Courts Act, 1863—Was presented by The LORD CHANCELLOR; read 1a. (No. 71.)
  CLERICAL VESTMENTS BILL [H.L.]
  Bill, by Leave of the House, withdrawn.

  CLERICAL VESTMENTS (NO. 2) BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill for better enforcing Uniformity in the Clerical Vestments and Ornaments to be worn by Ministers of the United Church of England and Ireland in the Performance of Public Worship—Was presented by The Earl of SHAFTESBURY; read 1a. (No. 72).
  House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, to Monday next, Eleven o'clock