In the House of Lords on Tuesday the Census Bill
was considered in Committee, and on the motion of Lord Newton a column was added to the schedule providing for the state- ment of religious opinion. Lord Newton could not believe that the real reason for the Government's refusal to accept it was that the religions inquiry was inquisitorial. If they would acknowledge that their attitude was due to the pressure of Nonconformists who wanted to disestablish the Church in Wales, he could sympathise with them. Lord Lansdowne, although he agreed with the amendment, pointed out that it would be impossible to press it in the face of the Govern- ment's opposition. No doubt the column will be struck out by the Commons, and will not be insisted on by the Lords, but for all that we are glad that Lord Newton has made so clear and bold a protest against a piece of unctuous party sophistry.
Previous page
