The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-12 00:00:00

LONDON) BILL.

On the order of the day for going into committee on
this bill,
Mr. BOUVERIE moved as an amendment, that the
bill be committed this day three months. The bill
Would still exclude gentlemen having diplomas from
Edinburgh and Dublin, the medical colleges of which
rivalled any in Europe, from practising in England.
Mr. HADFIELD seconded the amendment.

Mr. COWAN contended that the Scottish medical
practitioners were entitled to the same rights as their
English brethren. It was unwise to keep up the invi-
dious distinctions which at present exist.
Lord PALMERSTON said, originally he thought it
would be better to postpone all legislation on this sub-
ject until next session, when a general bill might be
brought in embracing all the medical colleges of the
kingdom. He had, however, since received communica-
tions from the authorities of the London University
which had altered his views in that respect, and he was
now of opinion that it would be advantageous to proceed
at once with the bill. The legislation of last session
With regard to lunatics had exposed the graduates of the
university to penalties which were never contemplated,
and it was desirable that this state of things should be
altered. The objections of Mr. Bouverie could be
removed in committee.

Mr. ATHERTON observed that the opposition to
the bill was based upon the dog-in-the-manger princi-
ple, because those who opposed it did so because they
Were not included in it.

Mr. WALPOLE insisted that there ought to be a
general measure placing degrees for all the universities
upon the same footing, and that there should be a uni-
formity of qualification for medical practitioners. He
recommended the withdrawal of this bill, with a view
of introducing such a general measure next session.
Mr. NAPIER urged the claims of the University
Dublin to grant diplomas, which should extend to all
parts of the kingdom. Gentlemen holding English de-
grees were not excluded from practising in Ireland, and
he thought there ought to be some reciprocity in the
matter. He, however, agreed with Mr. Walpole that
the best remedy for all these anomalies was to place all
medical degrees in the United Kingdom upon the same
footing.
Mr. STURT supported the bill. He admitted that
it was desirable that there should be a common test of
qualifications applicable to all medical professions.
After a few words from Mr. Grogan, Mr. Mowbray,
and Mr. Mitchell,
Mr. BRADY said he was glad to hear that the noble
lord at the head of the Rome Deßartment intended
during the recess to devote the energies of his great mind
to the settlement of this question of Medical Reform.
The anomalous state of the law was productive of
incalculable injury to the public, but he hoped next
session the noble lord would be prepared with a large
and comprehensive measure of reform that should prove
alike satisfactory to the house and the profession.
The house divided when there appeared—
For the amendment
Against it

Majority —64
The house then went into committee on the bill.
On clause one,
Mr. MOWBRAY moved an amendment, with the
view of including the University of Durham in the bill.
Mr. HEADLAM and Mr. ATHERTON supported the
amendment.

Mr. NAPIER also did so, but only upon the under.
standing that provision should be made in the bill to
enable gentlemen obtaining medical degrees from the
-University of Dublin to practice in England.
Mr. ELLIOT contended that provision ought to be
made in the bill to remove all exceptional cases, and so
leave it that a degree granted by a properly qualified
authority should entitle the holder to practice medicine
in any part of the United Kingdom.
Lord PALMERSTON thought a fair case bad been
made out for the University of Durham, but he could not
consext to make the alterations suggested by the two
last speakers. At the same time he was free to admit
that any general measure of medical reform should place
the three sections of the kingdom upon the same foot-
ing ; and he thought some general test might be devised
which should entitle the holder of a degree granted in
England, Ireland, or Scotland, to practise anywhere.

NAPIER—Of what use. then, is this

Lord PALMERSTON replied that the utility of the
bill had already been explained, and it was important
that its provisions should be confined to England alone,
as its simple object was to free the graduates of the
London University from the penalties they were liable
to under the Lunacy Act.
Mr. WALPOLE thought the admissions of the noble
lord only showed the impolicy of dealing with the ques-
tion of medical reform by peacemeal legislation. It
would be much better to withdraw the bill and leave it
for the noble lord next session to bring in his promised
measure that should place the graduates of all univer-
sities, no matter whether in England, Ireland, or Scot-
land, upon the same footing. The difficulty which the
noble lord had started arising out of the lunatic law,
could be easily got rid of by a short indemnity bill.
Mr. COWAN moved that the chairman should report
progress, in order that he might move the house to give
an instruction to the committee to include the universi-
ties of Scotland in the bill.
Mr. HEADLAM observed that the adoption of such
a course would be tantamount to rejecting the bill.
Mr. GROGAN thought the bill was more likely to be
lost if the alteration was not made.
Lord PALMERSTON said it was useless to think of
extending the provisions of the bill to all the universi-
ties without having previously determined upon some
general test or qualification to practice, to he enforced
alike in England, Ireland, and Scotland. The course
they were now asked to take was nothing more nor less
than to jump at a conclusion without having first settled
the premises.
After some further discussion, the committee divided,
when there appeared— •
For reporting progress
Against it

61
109
—59
The 'University of Durham was then ordered to be
included in the clause.
Mr. W. 'MICHELL moved the insertion of words in
the clause, the effect of which would be to break up the
monopoly enjoyed by the College of Physicians.
The committee divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment
Against it 147
Majority --142
Clause one as amended vas then agreed to, as were
also the remaining clauses of the bill.
The house resumed.

PROPERTY DISPOSAL BILL.
On the order for resuming the adjourned debate on
the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr, Xtt. QUIRE said the Dill was-at direct varianco
_

with the feelings of the people of Ireland. The Roman
Catholics would view the passing of such a bill like this
as an insult and wrong.
Mr. WHITESIDE who had charge of the bill an-
nounced his intention to withdraw it as it was impos-
sible to dispose of it at this late period of the session.
The progress of the bill had been successfully obstructed
by the minority of the house, but as the bill was based
upon sound principles he should renew it the very first
opportunity next session. The law affecting the dis-
posal of property by the inmates of convents was so un-
cartain and El-defined that it imperatively called for
alteration.
Mr, HADFIELD entreated the house to put an end
to these religious bickerings which were disgraceful to a.
deliberated assembly.
Mr. NEWDEGATE said there was a combination in
the house, to prevent the law being extended to Roman
Catholic institutions ; but it was gratifying to know that
the more obstructive that combination became, the more
determined would the people of this country be to have
convents and nunneries brought within the jurisdiction
of the law. He censured the Protestant dissenting
members who were opposed to a Stato Church for allow-
ing themselves to be made the tool of this combination
of the Roman Catholic section of the house.
Mr. SCULLY denied that there was such combina-
tion amongst Irish members.
The bill was then withdrawn.