§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Marquess of SALISBURY)The motion standing in my name is the same as the one I have already submitted, and which your Lordships have accepted, with the solitary exception that it is in favour of a Select Committee to be appointed by this House, and not a Joint Committee to be appointed with the co-operation of the other House. The House of Commons, for reasons connected with its own business, do not seem willing to go into this inquiry, and, therefore, I think we had better go on with it by ourselves. I cannot think that if we can possibly avoid it we ought to allow an enactment so little creditable to our Statutebook to remain upon it without some modifications or improvement. I propose to submit the names as soon as the House reassembles.
§ Moved, "That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the declaration required of the Sovereign, on his accession by the Bill of Rights (1 Will. III. cap. 2, 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 Marquess of Salisbury.)
§ EARL SPENCERI rejoice extremely, that the noble Marquess has thought it right to bring on this subject. I 755 stated my views in one of the first speeches made on this subject, and I think the terms in which the noble Marquess has framed his motion ought to meet the case without raising any great difficulty.
§ On Question agreed to, and ordered accordingly.