The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-25 00:00:00

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

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The following bills were reed a 'wand time :—Broms-
vase and Droitwich 'Water, North Eastern Railway, Hall
and Hermes Railway, Dublin Port Acts Amendment, and
Leicester Cattle Market Bills. And the following were
nod a third time, and pissed :—Limerick and Castle Con-
nell Railway, Breen Down Docks, Cork Harkins., United
General Gas Company (Dublin), South Essex Estuary and
Reclamation, and the Imperial Gas Company Bills.

THE WSW MIDDLESEX WATERWORKS BILL.
The above bill parsed through committee.
QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICES ABOLITION BILL.
Lord HOUGHTON, in moving the second reading of
this bill, said the measure had been frequently before
their lordships ; and if by their present decision they ren-
dered it unnecessary ever to bring it forward again, they
would confer a great benefit on the country.
The Earl of DERBY said that when on former occasions
he had objected to the passing of the bill it was not on
sesount of any value he attached to its operation, but be-
muse he considered it Xi an indication of an animus
hostile to the church of England, and as it always &mom
ponied by other measures which more or less had a hostile
tendency towards that church. He quite believed, with
the noble baron, that after they had relieved the members of
the legislature from taking those declarations they ought
not to continue to impose them upon members of muni-
eipal bodies. It was not, therefore, his intention to offer
any opposition to the second reading of the bill. (Hear,
hear.) He quite concurred in the general view which the
noble lord had expressed, that it would be very desirable
that the form of oath which should be taken by members
of municipal councils should be the wale oath as that
. which was required of members of the legislature. The
noble lord would have to consider the manner in which he
could best effect his object by the present bill, and
if he found it neoessary, owing to the forms of the
house, to withdraw the bill, mid introduce it in the other
home of parliament, he believed that with the unanimous
opinion that prevailed on the subject in both hosing he
would find no difficulty in having it speedily
.passed. He
also sgreesl with the noble lord in another point to which
be had adverted. If they so far simplified the oaths taken
by members of the legislature and by public functionaries
as was proposed, it was deserving of the serious considera-
tion of the government whether it would not be wise to
do away altogether with the passing of the annual In-
. &malty Act. If they required no declaration to be taken,
and yet year after year passed an Indemnity Act, it would
practically throw a slur and slight upon the oaths still re-
quired to be taken. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that by
passing such a bill they would get rid of the necessity of
passingthe annual Indemnity Act.
lard TAUNTON suggested that the bill should be ex-
tended to Scotland and Ireland, and he hoped that an
amendment to that effect would be introdueed in com-
mittee. He had always considered the municipal oath per-
pectly worthless as any kind of safeguard.
Lord ROMILLY said that, notwithstanding the altera-
tion of the law, there was no uniformity in respect to the
oath taken by solicitorson their admission, but Roman
catholic' took a different one to protestant'. It was
obviously desirable that that state of things should be
altered, and a very slight amendment of the present bill
would make it extend to such cases.
Lord HOUGHTON was much gratified by the manner in
which the bill had been received by their lordships, but he
thought it worth their while to consider whether it would
he advisable to introduce both negative and positive pro-
=tons into the measure. Be suggested that it would be
to pass the bill as iestood, and that the government
alsotdd introduce a supplemental measure assimilating all
oaths and declarations.
Bari GRANVILLE said that it was very satisfactory to
her Majesty'. government to witness the unanimous con-
currence of the house on a question which had always had
its support. With respect to the suggestion of the noble
earl opposite, he agreed that it would be an advantage if
they should do away with the annual Indemnity
Bill. He thought it nocemary, however, to extend
the declar .tioo to persons who did not now take the oath.
There we., many other questioui which still remained
with resp!ct to oaths. The bill the other day only dealt
with the parliamentary oath, but there were also oaths
which we.: obliged to be taken as a part of the qualifica-
tion of in si;strates in which the same distinctions existed.
He thoulltt the present was a good time to consider such
questions. because there appeared to be a general concur.
rence on the part of their lordships and hon. members in
the other house that it was desirable in a liberal and
sensible m iiner to deal with this important question.
The bill was read a second time.

On the motion of Lord Rene:n:u.P, Forsyth's Indem-
laity Bill poised through the various stages, the standing
orders bei.4; suspended for that purpose.
Their loidships adjourned at 29 minutes after 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAYO APRIL 24.
The hoe o met at 4 o'clock.
P.EPI:ESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE.

The alit—din of London and Middlesex appeared at the bar,
and preaeated a petition from the City of London in favour
of the Rel7esentation of the People Bill.

RYE ELECTION.

Mr. EV ANS reported from the Rye election committee
that Mr. !.. Mackinnon WaS duly elected.

ESTAIINSTER IMPROVEMENTS.

Mr. B. COCHRANE gave notice that on Tuesday, the
Bth of .v. he should move for a select committee to
examine the scheme of the NVemtniinster Boulevard, and
report whether the bill should ho allowed to he brought
it, and if so, whether the provisions relating to the re-
moval of Cie poor were sufficient.