Mr. Collettrose to put the questions to the right hon. Baronet at the head of the Government, of which he gave notice yesterday. The first question was, "whether it is intended to appoint another Bishop of Bath and Wells during the life of the present incumbent, whose duties are now and have for some time past been performed by the Bishop of Salisbury?" In the event of receiving an answer in the negative, his second question was, "whether at the death of the present Bishop it is intended to appoint another Bishop of 1234 Bath and Wells, or to unite that diocese with the diocese of Salisbury?"
§ Sir R. Peelbegged to thank the hon. Member for the very distinct notice he had given him as to his questions, which he would endeavour to answer as distinctly. To the first he would answer, that it was not in the power of the Government to appoint another Bishop to the see of Bath and Wells during the incumbency of the present Bishop. His answer to that question, therefore, must be decidedly in the negative. To the second question, his answer was, that on the decease of the present right rev. Prelate it would be the duty of Government to advise Her Majesty to appoint another to the see without delay.