HL Deb 21 March 1901 vol 91 cc671-3
THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, I beg to move the resolution standing in my name, which I read to your Lordships on Tuesday. As far as I know, there is no opposition to the motion on the part of the noble Lord. The only thing that it is necessary I should mention is that something has been said with respect to referring the Coronation Oath to the same Committee, and making in it alterations which undoubtedly will have to be made. But the two subjects are not at all similar, and it would have been impossible to put the Coronation Oath into this reference. If, later, it should be thought wise to use the same Committee for the purpose of considering the matter of the Coronation Oath, I probably shall see no difficulty in that. But I have no doubt that it will be necessary to have legislation upon the Coronation Oath, because at the present time we should be asking the King to swear that he will maintain all the rights of the Church of Ireland.

Moved, To resolve that it is desirable that a Joint Committee of both Houses be appointed to consider the Declaration required of the Sovereign, on his accession, by the Bill of Rights (1 Will. III. cap. 21 s. 1); and to report whether its language can be modified advantageously, without diminishing its efficacy, as a security for the maintenance of the Protestant succession.—(The Lord Privy Seal.)

THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN

It would be easy to insert the words "Oath and Declaration required of the Sovereign." The Oath and the Declaration have, in other documents, been referred to together. But, as the noble Marquess says there seems to be a difficulty, no doubt he is right.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

"His accession" would not represent "on his coronation." Again, there is some doubt how far the Coronation Oath is a security for the maintenance of the Protestant succession.

EARL SPENCER

It is certainly desirable that they should be treated in a different manner, and, as the noble Marquess undertakes to do that, no further criticism need be made.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I only undertook to do that if it was necessary.

LORD HERRIES

I should like to ask the Prime Minister whether he can state the names of the Committee, as he promised to do on Tuesday.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I was not aware, when I promised to give the names on Tuesday, that it is usual to wait until the names of Peers and Commoners have been selected before they are proposed. The Commons have not yet agreed to the Joint Committee.

LORD HERRIES

I presume the number has been fixed?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I do not know whether it has been fixed. We always contemplated a Committee of ten or eleven, but I should not bind myself if a reason occurred for having a larger Committee.

EARL SPENCER

And it will be after Easter?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Surely.

On Question, agreed to; Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Commons to communicate this Resolution, and to desire their concurrence.

House adjourned at five minutes before Seven of the clock till to-morrow, half-past Ten of the clock.