MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS. (Hansard, 24 June 1870)

THE BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER AND BRISTOL

rose to call the attention of the House to the fact that at present no Divine service is performed in the lately restored chapel in St. Stephen's Crypt; and to move that an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that Her Majesty will be graciously pleased to give directions that the requisite arrangements be made for the performance of the same during the Session of Parliament. As one of the Chaplains of their Lordships' House, he need make no apology for bringing this subject under their notice. The chapel had been beautifully restored, at a cost of £30,000. He could not think this an improper expenditure upon a place possessing so much historical interest; and there could be no doubt that the work of restoration had been very completely carried out. But, although every preparation had been made in the chapel for the celebration of Divine service, none had yet been performed. In fact, he understood that 858 the only ceremony which had taken place there was the baptism of the grandchild of one of the officers of the House. As he was informed, the restoration of the chapel had been undertaken with the intention of providing a place of worship for the families having residences in the Houses of Parliament, of whom there were 14; and the district in which they resided was, he believed, extra-parochial. Many of the members of these families probably attended the neighbouring churches; but he was not ashamed to say a few words for their servants, many of whom, he believed, would be glad to attend at least one service a day in the Crypt. It was necessary that a preacher or reader should be appointed to conduct these services; but he could not find that there were any funds for the purpose. The Chaplain to the House of Commons might be suggested as a proper person to officiate; but it should be remembered that that rev. gentleman was really the Speaker's chaplain, and it would not be reasonable to expect him to undertake additional duties. So far as the Chaplains to their Lordships' House were concerned, no doubt the members of the Episcopal Bench would be ready to render what assistance they could; and, for his own part, he should be prepared to offer his services whenever they were required. It was requisite to supply from some source £100 a year, to provide a simple service on Sunday afternoons, during the Session of Parliament, and he did not think it was unreasonable to request that this should be done. It was clear that either the chapel should not have been so expensively restored, and made ready for use, or arrangements should be made for the performance of Divine service. The chapel was under the charge of the Lord Great Chamberlain, who would give every facility for the performance of service, if proper arrangements were made. He would not carry his Motion to a Division, as his object was merely to obtain an expression of opinion upon the subject, which he had brought before the House in this form.

§ EARL GRANVILLE

said, he fully appreciated the motives that had induced the right rev. Prelate to bring forward this question, and thanked him for his willingness to contribute to carry out his suggestion. But he was not aware that any wish for a service in the chapel had been expressed by the families of the officers residing within the building, and he believed they found accommodation in St. Margaret's Church. At any rate, it would seem that the necessity for an additional service could not be very great in the immediate neighbourhood of Westminster Abbey. With regard to providing funds for the purpose, the only course which occurred to him, as practicable, was to ask the House of Commons for a grant; but he very much doubted whether the other House of Parliament would be willing to agree to a Vote for that purpose. He should be glad, however, to give the subject some consideration, before making a more definite reply to the Motion.