§ MR. HORSMANwished to put some questions to the noble Lord at the head of the Government. First, with respect to the composition of the Ecclesiastical Commission, he begged to ask if the Government had any measure in preparation with a view to altering and making it more in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee who reported upon the subject in the last Session of Parliament? Next, whether the noble Lord intended to propose any measure for the fusion of the episcopal and common funds? Thirdly, whether the Government were prepared to legislate with regard to the reform of cathedral establishments, so as to render them more generally efficient and useful for the purposes of religious instruction? And, lastly, whether they intended to propose any one or all such measures during the present Session?
§ LORD J. RUSSELLI certainly did not clearly understand the hon. Gentleman's (Mr. Horsman's) questions when he put them on a former night. With regard to the first, it is intended to propose a Bill in the present Session with respect to the composition of the Ecclesiastical Commission; and that measure will be founded partly upon the Bill that was formerly proposed to the House by the Government, and partly upon the report of the Committee to which he has alluded. With respect to the next question, as to the union of the episcopal and common funds, the Government have decided to propose a measure upon that subject also, and that, too, in the present Session, With regard to proposing changes in the cathedral establishments, the hon. Gentleman is aware that great reforms have already been made in those establishments; and I am certainly of opinion that further improvements may be made, but I cannot at present undertake to introduce any measure upon the subject.