HC Deb 13 May 1864 vol 175 c461
COLONEL FRENCH

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If it is the fact that the Archbishop of Canterbury has the power to confer the title of Doctor of Medicine on persons who have not undergone an examination before the College of Physicians?

SIR GEORGE GREY

Owing, Sir, to the short notice I have had of the Question of the hon. and gallant Member, I have not been able to ascertain all the facts relating to the subject. There is an old statute under which the Archbishop of Canterbury has the power to confer a Doctor's Degree, and I believe that power was recognized by the last Medical Act, but attaching certain qualifications to the person receiving the degree. I am also able to say that the present Archbishop has never exercised the power.

COLONEL FRENCH

It was exercised in 1858.