The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-20 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PA R LAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, April 19.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon the Wool-
sack at Five o'clock.
The Earl of EGLINTON presented a petition from
the malt distillers of the west of Scotland against the
Customs Duties, and praying that they might be allowed
a drawback equal to the difference in the duty on rum
and spirits.
The Earl of WALSINGHAM presented a petition
against the law of settlement.
The Earl of CLANCARTY presented a petition,
praying for poor relief in Ireland. The Noble Lord,
who was very inaudible, was understood to say that the
present question was one that required considerable con-
sideration. There could be no doubt that there were
many obstacles with which those who were unacquainted
with the subject could have no conception.
Several Bills were brought up from the Commons,
and read a first time,
GOVERNMENT EDUCATION PLAN.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from the
Protestant Dissenters of Reading., Banbury, and Abing-
,lon, against the Government scheme of education. In
doing so he wished to ask his Noble Fricnd what
was the reasr n of the change which the Corn •
mittee of Education had decided upon since the
plan of 1839. He could only say that the accession
of the 'Dissenters would be obtained by some such
system being adopted as the plan of 1839.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that in the plan
of 1839, and of that subsequently propounded in 1841, it
was fully intended that the Scriptures should be made a
part of the system of education; but so much of opposi-
tion had been shown that it was determined that none
but the authorised version of the Scriptures should, he
adopted; but the reception of the system was to be left
optional.
Lord BROUGHAM had always been a party to any-
thing than the use of the authorised version, and he
believed that no school would be allowable without the
use of Scriptural instruction, and the reply therefore
was no answer to his question. The Noble Marquis had
stated that none but the authorised and regular version
was to be used. But it should be,recollected that there
was one version used in England, and another
in Scotland. In England there were but two
schools which would require Government assist-
ance, though in Scotland there would be more, and in
Ireland, in all probability, there would be many who
would have a right to this aid. The question, there-
fore, came with great force as to what was the autho-
rised version of the Scriptures. There was the Catholic
version, and there was the Protestant version, but be
was atonished that any question should be raised about
either in this year, not of 1447, or 1547, but in the year
1847; and he regretted that in this year there should be
mixed up on this great question the broiling spirit of
bigotry on both sides.
Lord BEAUMONT wished to ask what was the
system which the Government intended to pursue.
No other minute existed but that which bore date the 3d
of December, 1839. There was no other published but
tha,, and he thought it would require some igenuity to
construe that minute into the meaning given to it by
the Noble Marquis, namely, that one particular
version of the Scriptures must be used in its
integrity, and the words used in their minutes were
portions of the Old and New Testament. Now that
formed a great objection to Catholics attending
these schools. It was a great source of regret to him
that the explanation of the Noble Lord was calculated
to create still further sectarian divisions and dislike to
spiritual education. He hod hoped to see under the
same roof, and instructed by the same masters,
and inspected by the same men, both Catholics
and Protestants receiving education together, and by
that means, in course of time, to do away with that ill-
feeling which resulted from sectarian differences. The
question he wished to ask. therefore, from the Noble
Marquis was this—Was there any other minute, any
unpublished minute, with regard to the use of the autho-
rised version of the Scriptures besides the minute dated
the 3d December, 1839?
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE was understood to
say, that there was no minute which would bear
the construction put upon it by the Noble Lord
He wished to state that the general observation that had
been made had reference, not to the authorised version
of the Scriptures, but with reference to Roman Catholic
schools, judgment only would be delivered when a fur
ther amount of knowledge was obtained. He had hoped
that no objection would have been made to the measure
of the Government.
Lord BROUGHAM bagged to explain. His Noble
Friend had altogether misunderstood him. It' the au-
thorised version of the Scriptures were read in the
schools the Catholics would not receive it.
Earl RADNOR made a few observations.
OXFORD AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.

Lord LYNDHURST, who was very -imperfectly heard,
was understood to refer to the Committee of Inquiry
which had been recently appointed on this railway, and
to state that he had been considering the objection which
had been made as to the propriety of discontinuing the
labours of that Committee, in consequence of the matters
in dispute between the North-Western and Great
Western Railway Companies being still pending in the
Court of Chancery, and was of opinion that the inquiry
should not be abandoned.
Lord REDESDALE said that he was not in the House
when the Committee was appointed, otherwise he would
have opposed the motion, as he thought that the prin-
ciple which it reeogniseta was a dangerous one, and that
the House should not interfere with legal possession
of property. With these few remarks he should con-
clude, and if there was any oppcsition to his motion, he
should not feel justified in pushing the matter to a deci-
sion before their Lordship*.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that it was right
to state to their Lordships' that the question which had
been raised in the Court of Chancery, and which was
now pending before him, wa•, as to who were the legal
directors of the Oxford and Birmingham Railway. This
question would, in all probability be decided in the
course of the presAit week, and he thought, therefore,
that it would nut be wise in their Lordships to come to
a decision which might, very probably, interfere with
the jurisdiction of a court of law. It would seem

admirable to him, therefore, to postpone the considera-
tion of the matter until after the decision of the Court of
Chancery.
Lord LYNDHURST said that the Vice-Chancellor
had come to a decision that the directors, who had been

elected in October, should go out in October, and it
seemed, therefore, desirable on all hands, that their Lord-
ships should not interfere, while the matter was pending
in the Court of Chancery.
The matter then dropped.
GOVERNMENT EDUCATION SCHEME.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented petitions
in favour of the plan for Mansfield, Bridgewater, and a
great number of other places; as also several against it.
Lord BROUGHAM wished to inquire what deter-
mination the Government had come to respecting the
use of the auth,rised version of the Scriptures. He
also wished to inquire whether there was any change in
the Minutes of Council of 1839; and suggested that
such alteration would materially aff.ct the votes of the
House of Commons.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said there had been
no change whatever in the Minutes of Council; for, with
respect to the authorised version, the rule was sufficiently
established; and with respect to the money that was
necessary to carry the plan out, the House of Commons
would at all times have the means at their command for
directinc, it, and could bring their influence to bear upon

it from year to year.
Lord BROUGHAM believed that the Ministry would
not surely take any step in so important a matter without
the sanction of Parlinmt Tit.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE conceived that as
the whole of the plan would yearly be subjected to the
consideration of the House of Commons, that it was un-
necessary to bring it in, in any other shape, before their

Lordships.