§ MR. HORSMANI beg leave now to put to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the question of which I gave him notice yesterday. It will be in the recollection of the House that three weeks ago—I believe on this day three weeks—I submitted to the House a Motion on the subject of the Rev. Mr. Bennet's institution to the vicarage of Frome, which resulted in an undertaking on the part of the Government to inquire into the circumstances which I then brought before the House. As that Motion was made three weeks ago, I hope the right hon. Gentleman will feel that I have not shown any undue haste, and that I do not do so now, in asking him whether he is prepared to state, on the part of the Government, what steps have been taken to institute that inquiry, and with what result?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI willingly admit that the hon. Gentleman is perfectly justified in addressing the question which he has done to Her Majesty's Government. I can only say that the attention of the Government to the circumstances connected with the induction of the Rev. Mr. Bennett has been unremitting; and I trust that the hon. Gentleman, after my having made that declaration, will not at the present moment press me further.
§ MR. HORSMANwas very unwilling to press the right hon. Gentleman at all; but he could not state any period within which he might be likely to give some sort of an explanation to the House?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he was reluctant to fix any particular day; but he expected it would speedily be in the power of the Government to communicate something more definite to the House. When he was able to do so, he would not wait for any inquiry, but would voluntarily afford the information.