The Archbishop of Canterburyrose to move the Order of the Day, that the House should resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House on the Bill, the principal object of which was to prevent the lapse of benefices where there was no cure of souls. The most reverend Prelate observed, that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had entered into very extensive inquiries with respect to such benefices, and had collected a vast mass of information on the subject; but that they were unable to devise any general plan for carrying the object desired into effect. The fact appeared to be, that various cases must be made the subjects of separate consideration. The Commissioners had been engaged in preparing two Bills, the one to enforce the residence of the Clergy, the other to restrict pluralities; but they found that it was impossible to bring them in in the present Session. Reflecting, indeed, on the evils which frequently attended partial legislation, and on the inconvenience of introducing at different times measures which might afterwards be found to contain conflicting provisions, the Commissioners had thought it better to wait until they might be able to bring the whole question of Ecclesiastical affairs under the consideration of Parliament. They had, however, as 789 as he had already said, collected so man facts, that they hoped to be able to propose a Bill in the next Session for regulating Bishoprics and Dioceses, for placing collegiate churches on a better footing, for enforcing residence, and for restricting pluralities. In the mean time, he had the satisfaction to say, that his Majesty had been graciously pleased to declare his intention not to prefer to any Ecclesiastical dignity or benefice, of the nature in question which might fall vacant, The Archbishops and Bishop; and a number of private persons, possessing ecclesiastical patronage, had made a similar declaration. Under these circumstances, however, it became necessary, in the first place, and in justice to the various patrons, to secure the several dignitaries and benefices which might become vacant from lapsing to the Archbishops, Bishops and others, to whom, as the law now stood, they would fall. The Bill before their Lordships provided for that point. It was his intention, however to propose in the Committee two additional Clauses; the one to prevent the Bill from having any retrospective action; the other to declare (as a mistaken inference might otherwise be drawn) that nothing in the Act should prevent his Majesty, or any other person or body possessing the patronage of any benefice having a cure of souls, from presenting in the event of a vacancy. These Clauses and some alterations in the Bill, he would propose in the Committee; and on the reception of the Report, he would move that the Bill, as amended, be printed.
§ The House resolved itself into the Committee. His Grace introduced the two new Clauses he had mentioned, which, with several other Amendments, were agreed to. The House resumed. The Report was received, and the Bill, as amended, was ordered to be printed.