§ Lord J. Russell moved the Order of the Day for the second reading of the Benefices Plurality Bill.
§ Sir R. Ingliswould not then enter into the details of the measure, but lest an unfavorable impression might exist out of that House that the evil of non-residence was still to be charged against the church, he believed that no Member of the Legislature, whether hostile or friendly to the establishment, could for a single moment dispute the fact, that at present there were more resident clergy than had been for the last twenty years; a benefit exclusively effected by the energies of the church herself.
§ Lord John Russellstated, that on another occasion he should have to introduce a Bill for the regulation of deans and chapters of cathedrals, by which he hoped to effect a saving of 120,000l. a-year, to be applied to make better provision for spiritual instruction in populous places. That Bill would be introduced for the purpose of carrying into effect, with modifications, the fourth report of the church commissioners. The suggestions of the commissioners contained in the report would be adopted generally as the foundation of the Bill; but there would be certain modifications of some of them proposed by him on the responsibility of her Majesty's Government, in which he hoped to have the hon. Baronet's support. One of these modifications he might mention to the House. He meant to propose, that in no case the income of a dean should exceed 2,000l. a-year or the income of a canon 1,000l. By the resi- 723 due he hoped to be able to provide for the remuneration of clergymen in various small livings.
§ Sir R. Inglissaid, that the anticipations of the noble Lord were rather too sanguinary; because he thought that the last Bill alluded to was most vicious in principle and injurious in tendency. He had no doubt that such a measure, from the strong opposition it was likely to receive throughout the country, could only pass that House, if so much could be effected. It should be borne in mind, that although the church had received many pecuniary and other favours from the ancestors of hon. Members, that House had not contributed anything to her support.
§ Mr. Humesaid, that the church had gained one million by Queen Anne's Bounty, and a million and a half by grants from that House, for building churches.
§ Mr. Haweshad strong objections to the principle of the measure, as pluralities were still to continue, and as he thought that no individual should hold two livings. Neither did the Bill make any provision for those ecclesiastic districts that by its own clauses were to be made parishes.
§ Bill read a second time.