HC Deb 08 June 1876 vol 229 cc1601-2
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,

in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the foundation of a new Bishopric out of a part of the Diocese of Exeter, said, that the first reason for the creation of the See of Cornwall was that the diocese of Exeter was a very large one, not only in numbers and population, but in size. The second reason why he asked the House to consent to this Bill was the special one that the funds were practically forthcoming for the purpose. An offer had been made to the Government of the sum of £1,200 a-year from a single individual for the formation of the See; but attached to that condition was one condition that the See should be formed in the lifetime of the donor. That gift had been most generously met by the Bishop of the diocese. The See of Exeter was entitled to an income of £5,000, and it was proposed to transfer it from that which was the highest to the lowest of the ordinary Sees—namely, £4,200; but the Bishop of the diocese, with that generosity and zeal which characterized him in every action of his life, insisted that this reduction of his income should take effect from the moment the new See was founded. To meet the sum of £2,000 a-year a very large sum was collected among the people of the new diocese. He proposed to follow precisely the plan of last Session for the formation of the See of St. Albans—namely, to enable Her Majesty, whenever she received a certificate from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners that the funds were in hand, to form the new See out of the Archdeaconry of Cornwall. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving for leave to bring in the Bill.

MR. BERESFORD HOPE

hoped that in the course of time a more extended Bill for the increase of the Episcopate would be devised.

R. HAYTER

expressed his thanks to the Government for having brought in the Bill, which he believed would meet a pressing want.

Motion agreed to.

Bill to provide for the foundation of a new Bishopric out of a part of the Diocese of Exeter, ordered to be brought in by Mr. Secretary Cross and Sir HENTRY SELWIN-IBBETSON.

Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 185.]