Lords Sitting of 2 May 1870

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister* (76); Justices of the Peace Qualification * (77).
Second Reading—County Courts Buildings*(70).
Committee—Report—Customs (Isle of Man)* (54); Survey of Great Britain, &c.* (71–78).

IRELAND—NATIONAL PARLIAMENT

  PETITION.
  LORD TALBOT DEMALAHIDEpresented a Petition from the Guardians of the North Dublin Union, praying for the establishment of a Royal residence and a National Parliament in Ireland. This Petition, the noble Lord added, was one of importance, for it did not emanate from a set of enthusiasts or professional agitators, but from a body of gentlemen, with many of whom he was acquainted, and who were of the highest respectability, including landed proprietors and commercial men, of all sections in poli-
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  tics, and belonging to all religions. He could not support the entire prayer of the Petition, for he was opposed to the repeal of the Union. Much as he disapproved some recent legislation affecting Ireland, he did not think an Irish Parliament would improve the position of that country. Much, also, as he deplored the evils which absenteeism tended to produce, he did not think they could be dealt with by legislation. There was, however, one part of the Petition in which he fully coincided, and he believed every loyal man was of the same opinion—he meant when the Petitioners declared that it would be greatly conducive to Irish interests if Her Majesty were able to have a residence in Ireland, for her presence would assuredly confer many benefits. He did not desire to attach, undue importance to the Petition; but as a straw might show which way the wind was blowing, so this expression of opinion might indicate to the Government the spirit in which their recent "message of peace" had been received in Ireland.
  Petition read and ordered to lie on the Table.

IRELAND—ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES ACT—MARRIAGE LAW OF IRELAND.

  QUESTIONS.
  THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDEasked, Whether the Government are prepared to introduce a Bill either to repeal or modify the provisions of the Ecclesiastical Titles Act so far as relates to Ireland; and, if so, whether there is any objection to introduce such a measure into this House? He did not know the precise position in which Bishops of the Protestant Church would be placed after the Act of last year had come into operation; but if Prelates of one Church were allowed to assume territorial titles, it would obviously be inconsistent with religious equality that those of other Churches should be debarred from so doing. He also desired to know the intentions of the Government as to the Marriage Law of Ireland—a subject of greater importance and urgency. The present state of the law, under which questions of legitimacy and property often depend on proof of the religious persuasion of the parents was most unsatisfactory; and it was the more necessary to deal with the matter since, after the 1st of January next, there would be no machinery for testing the validity of marriages even between two Episcopalians. He saw no reason why both these measures should not be introduced into this House at an early day, for their Lordships had at present little business before them, whereas the attention of the House of Commons was fully occupied.
  EARL GRANVILLE: I have no doubt whatever as to the importance of both the subjects to which the noble Marquess has referred. With regard to the Irish Marriage Law there exists a state of things which imperatively requires legislation. I believe the Law Officers of the sister country have been consulted respecting it, and I have no doubt that a measure will be introduced; but I must ask my noble Friend not to press his Question as to whether that measure will be introduced into this or the other House. With regard to the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, Her Majesty's Government also feel the necessity for legislation—a necessity that has become the more urgent because since the passing of the Irish Church Act a Bishop has died and a successor to him has been appointed.
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  I hope that my noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal will shortly introduce a measure on the subject.

  JUSTICES OF THE PEACE QUALIFICATION BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill to repeal the Qualification required by the Act eighteen George the Second, chapter twenty, for the office of Justice of the Peace—Was presented by The Earl of ALBEMARLE; read 1a. (No. 77.)
  House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, till To-morrow, Eleven o'clock,