THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid that in laying on the table the Returns which he would take the opportunity of giving a more correct answer to the questions which were put to him by his noble and learned Friend. He found that he had succeeded in selling thirty-seven livings; there were under negotiation, many of which would be soon sold, fifty-three more; and inquiries had been mad in respect to eighty fibe other livings. The Act did not come into operation until the 1st of November, and some 618 time elapsed before its principles became generally understood. The purchase-money of the thirty-seven livings finally sold was £65,300, and therefore that sum represented the amount of benefit which the Act had already been the means of conferring on the Church. Of the £65,300, £37,850 had been paid into the Bank of England, and the remaining £27,450 was represented by amounts to be secured by rent charges, by land, and sums of money which had still to be paid. The total amount paid to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners was £16,800. As examples of the prices which he had succeeded in obtaining, he might mention that one living, the net income of which was £261, fetched £5,000. Another living, the net income of which was £197, the incumbent of which was very old, fetched £3,500. Another, where the net income was £214 and the incumbent aged fifty-eight, fetched £3,000. Among the smaller livings, one of £16 12s. 3d., the incumbent of which was seventy-two, fetched £550. He was sure their Lordships would be pleased to know in what manner the provisions of the Act were being carried out, and the disposition that there was to confer benefits on the Church.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYThe statement just made by the noble and learned Lord is highly satisfactory. Will the noble and learned Lord allow me to ask him, whether any livings have been sold under the arrangement which I took the liberty of suggesting, under the 23rd section?
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he was obliged to the noble Earl for reminding him on that point. He had only succeeded in selling one living under the twenty-third section, and he was afraid he should be under the necessity, in the course of the Session, to submit to their Lordships some modification of the section. There were, however, negotiations going on for the sale of three more livings under that section.
Return laid before the House (pursuant to Act) of all Sales, &c, under the Lord Chancellor's Augmentation Act, up to February 15th, 1864. (No,12.)