§ Order of the Day for receiving Report of Amendments, read.
THE BISHOP OF LONDONMy Lords, I had intended to move a few verbal 354 Amendments on receiving the Report, but I was not able, in consequence of Ascension Day intervening, to get them printed in time, and therefore I propose to move them on Third Reading. I will therefore content myself with moving now that this Report be received.
THE BISHOP OF CARLISLEWith your Lordships' permission, I desire to give notice that on the Third Reading of this Bill I propose to move an additional clause. I will state shortly now what the intention of it is. As your Lordships are aware, the Bill imposes some very special duties upon the clergy throughout the country with regard to the publication of banns. I think it will be obvious to anyone who is conversant with the work of the clergy throughout the country that there will be great danger of the requirements of the Act not being attended to, and of serious mistakes being made, unless some form be provided for the clergy in their banns-books for the purpose of enabling them to comply with this Act. As I have said, therefore, I propose to move an additional clause, the effect of which will be to make it incumbent upon the Registrar General to supply proper forms in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and to supply those forms to the clergy upon application. I may just say that I have communicated with the Lord Bishop of London, who sees no objection to such an addition to his Act.
§ Amendments reported (according to order); and Bill to be read 3a on Tuesday next.