§ Lord Teignmouthsaid, pursuant to notice, he wished to put a few questions to the noble Lord with reference to the parish of Marylebone. It was well known that the affairs of that parish were in a very confused condition; that a rate had been levied, and as that was found insufficient to liquidate the parochial expenses, Lord Kenyon (who was a churchwarden of the parish) had had his House and furniture seized by those having claims upon the parish. Under these circumstances, Lord Kenyon was compelled to find security. A demand had also been made on his Lordship for the sum of 39l., incurred in erecting the hustings at the last election. The parish authorities refused to advance more than 4l. towards the payment of that debt; the remainder his Lordship was compelled to pay. Under the present circumstances it was found impossible to get any gentleman to fill the office of churchwarden. He wished to know what course the noble Lord (Lord Russell) intended to pursue. The second question which he wished to ask the noble Lord referred to an ecclesiastical bill, which was introduced to regulate the affairs of the parish, and which had received the sanction of the Bishop of London and Lord Duncannon. The progress 877 of that bill being a private one, had been retarded, in consequence of its not having been introduced at the proper period. He wished to know the noble Lord's intention with reference to that bill. There was another bill, the object of which was to regulate the civil affairs of the parish of Marylebone, but that bill was unsuccessful.
§ Lord J. Russellhad only to state, that the Commissioners of Woods and Forests had made a representation to the Treasury recommending, that measures should be taken to indemnify the churchwarden for any expenses to which he might be put, by such means as had been provided under the 58th of George 3rd, c. 57, or in such other manner as the law officers of the Crown might advise. It certainly was the intention of Government to bring in a bill upon the subject in the present Session of Parliament, but Lord Duncannon wished there might be time enough allowed previous to the introduction of the bill to obtain the consent of the vestry. It would now, he apprehended, be too late to introduce the measure as u private bill, but it was the intention of the Government that it should be introduced us soon as possible.
§ Sir B. Hallsaid, that not only the goods of Lord Kenyon, but those of the other churchwarden, had been distrained.
§ In reply to a question from Colonel T. Wood,
§ Lord J. Russellsaid, that the recommendation of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests applied to the case of the churchwarden recommended by the Crown.
§ Subject at an end.