(NO. 178.) THIRD READING. (Hansard, 8 July 1870)

THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER
, in moving that the Bill be now read the third time said, that he proposed to insert a new clause, drawn up by the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack, with regard to lunatic clergymen. The Bill would place parochial clergymen in much the same position as that of Bishops tinder the Act of last Session, and he received letters from them every day expressing great anxiety that it should pass.

§ EARL STANHOPE
said, he believed the operation of the Bill would be beneficial to the Church; but pointed out that it differed in one respect from the Bishops' Resignation Act, the latter being a temporary, while this was a permanent measure. Some other details seemed objectionable, and he trusted the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack would give his attention to remedy some legal defects.

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
, while admitting the desirability of making some provision for worn-out clergymen, who wished to be relieved from their duties, thought some minimum of service should be laid down as a condition of a retiring pension. It should be considered, moreover, whether an incumbent could properly discharge his duties and meet all claims upon him if his income was reduced by several hundreds a year by the pension of his predecessor. There was nothing, indeed, in the Bill to prevent two retiring pensions from being in operation in a single parish at the same time. The Bill would, not be applicable to small livings unless there was some scheme of augmentation. The composition of the Commission by which the pensions were to be awarded also required consideration, for under the Bill as it stood the voice of the parishioners would not be heard except through the Commissioner nominated by the patron, which would in many cases be insufficient. He thought further time should be allowed for the consideration of the measure.

§ EARL GRANVILLE
rose to remind their Lordships of his appeal to them on the previous evening to waive their rights to bring on the other business on the Paper, in order that the Land Bill might be considered on the Motion for its third reading, with the view, if possible, of sending it down that night to the House of Commons. As this Bill appeared likely to give rise to some discussion, he suggested that his right rev. Friend should consent to postpone the further debate.

THE BISHOP OF WINCHESTER
acquiesced in this suggestion.

§ THE DUKE OF RICHMOND
regretted that his attention had not been called to the Bill at an earlier stage, as on examination he found that the majority of 1695 the clauses required such amendment that they would scarcely he recognizable. The Bill ought not to pass without careful consideration.