THE SOLICITOR GENERALsaid, he rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to consolidate and amend the Church Building and New Parishes Acts. At that hour of the night he would not state in detail the objects of the Bill. He wished, however, to explain that it was not intended to introduce any matter which would lead to controversy, and that therefore the clauses of the existing statutes relating to church rates would neither be repealed nor re-enacted, but would simply be left as they stood.
§ MR. F. S. POWELL (Cambridge)said, he approved of the Bill generally. At the same time, he would express a hope that some amendments, to which he would refer at a future stage, would be incorporated in the Bill, for they were absolutely necessary if the Church Building Acts were to be brought into harmony with the wants of the Church. There ought to be a power given to those who acted as trustees for the revenues belonging to the Church of England to invest monies in such a manner as would produce a better rate of interest than was then obtained. He hoped the same variety as regarded the mode of patronage would be retained, and the same elasticity, scope, and liberty of action, since they were alike in accordance with the general tendency of the English mind and beneficial to the Church of England.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to consolidate and amend the Church Building and New Parishes Acts, ordered to be brought in by Mr. SOLICITOR GENERAL and Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL.
§ Bill presented, and read 1°. [Bill 82].