THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTERpresented a Bill to enable clergymen disabled by illness to resign their benefices with provisions of pensions. He proposed to fix the second reading of the Bill for Thursday next.
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDsaid, that as objections had been entertained to the measure last Session by many Peers, he thought a longer time should be allowed before the next stage.
THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTERobserved that the Bill was passed by a large majority last Session, and the clauses to which the main objections were taken—those which did not limit resignation to cases of age and infirmity—had been omitted. Many of the right rev. Prelates and himself were about to start on confirmation tours, so that delay really meant postponing the Bill until after Easter.
§ LORD CAIRNSsaid, that this measure related to matters far more important than the personal convenience of any of their Lordships. It was quite true that the Bill passed that House last Session; but it passed at a very late period, when the attendance of Peers was rather small; and it was by no means certain that the same result would have been arrived at if the Bill had been brought forward at an earlier period. The Bill would, probably, not be in the hands of their Lordships until Thursday morning, and if it were to be read a second time on that evening, their Lordships would have had a very slight opportunity of considering it, and the country no opportunity at all. He did not recollect the objections to which the right rev. Prelate referred; but he did recollect that he himself entertained objections which went to the very root of the matter.
§ LORD ROMILLYhoped the second reading of the Bill would not be pressed. There was a clear advantage in not hurrying on a measure of this nature where there was no especial reason for so doing. He thought their Lordships should have a week for consideration after the Bill had been placed in their hands.
§ Bill read 1a to be printed; and to be read 2a on Monday next. (No. 7.)