The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-08 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

➢lr. T. S. DUNCOMBE—I wish to put a question to
he right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the sub••

led of the Reform Bill. On the first evening of our race

ing the right hon. gentleman stated that the Government
were ready with their new reform measure, but my right
hon. friend added—(cries of "Order")--I am trying to
make my question intelligible to the house. (Laughter.)
The SPEAKER—The hon. gentleman must not enter
into any argument in putting a question.
Mr. DUNCOMBE—No, Sir, I am not doing so. I am
only stating the reasons why I asked the question. The
right hon. gentleman added that the bill would not be
brought in until the more important business
,of the country
was disposed of. That has led to some misconception and
some misunderstanding on the subject, and to considerable
misgiving in the public mind as to when the bill will be in-
troduced. (Cries of " Order.") As I have no doubt all this
can be removed, the question I have to ask is whether it is
the intention of Her Majesty's" Government during the
present month to introduce their bill for the amendment of
the representation of the people. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DISRAELI—The question which was addressed to
me the other night upon the subject was, whether the Go-
vernment was prepared to bring in this bill immediately, to
which I replied that it was not their intention to bring it in
immediately, as there was other important and urgent busi-
ness which required the attention of the house. I indicated
then some portion of that urgent business, and though it
it would be presumption to say how long it would occupy,
the natural inference from what I said when I referred to
the navy estimates, and to some votes being taken to enable
my right hon. friend (Sir J. Pakington) to make his state-
ment, and to bring forward the measures which he deems
necessary, was that the delay would not be very consider-
able. There is also other business, of an urgent cha-
racter, of which my noble friend near me (Lord Stanley)
has given notice. The house can probably form an opinion
of how much time will be occupied in the discussion of
Indian finance. The house is as good a judge as I am of
the time these measures will require for their fair discussion.
When they are settled, it is my intention to give notice of
a day when I shall have the honour of bringing forward a
measure for amending the representation of the people.
(Hear.) The hon. gentleman will understand that it isnot
in my power to fix the day; but, taking a general view as
to what will be the course of the session, not only is it our
intention that it shall be brought in before Easter, but we
contemplate the second reading being taken before Easter.
(Hear, hear.) As Easter is rather late this year, if the
second reading meets that reception which we fondly anti-
cipate--(laughter)—the house will have the opportunity
even of making progress in committee upon the bill before
that time. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BRlGHT—Perhaps I may be allowed to ask another
question. Permit me to say that what the public require is
time to consider the bill before it conies to a second read-
ing. (Hear, hear.) That is the essential thing. I would
therefore recommend—(Cries of " Order.") Well, if I
may not [recommend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I
will ask him whether he will name a day, or state when he
will name a day, when the bill will be introduced, because
I presume that not more than one night will be taken in
the introduction of the bill. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DISRAELI—It is not in my power to name pre-
cisely the day when the bill will be introduced, but I shall

give fair notice, and shall take care that there is ample op-
portunity for consideration between the introduction and
the second reading. (Cheers.)

REGIMENTAL CHAPLAINS IN INDIA.

Mr. KINNAIRD begged to ask what permanent increase
to the regular Bengal establishment of chaplains to the Pro-
testant troops had been made during the last 12 months,
and whether it was the intention of the Government to
make any further permanent increase, in consequence of the
probability of a much larger English force than formerly
being kept in India ?
Lord STANLEY said that up to September, 1857, the
permanent strength of the establishment of chaplains of the
Church of England was—ln Bengal, 68, Madras 35, and
Bombay 26, making 129 in all. Since that time they had
been increased from 68 to 80 in Bengal, from 35 to 40 in
Madras, and from 26 to 30 in Bombay, making 150 in all,
or an increase of 21. The whole of that increase had taken
place within the last 12 months. In addition, 10 supernu-
merary chaplains had now been sent out to meet the urgent
wants of the troops, who were not placed on the permanent
establishment, but would be absorbed into it. There had.
also been an increase of Presbyterian chaplains from 6 to 13.