§ MR. VANCEsaid, he wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Lancashire a Question of which he had given him Notice—namely, Whether, in the arrangements he proposes respecting the Ecclesiastical Endowments of Ireland, he contemplates the maintenance or withdrawal of the Grant given to the Presbyterian and Nonconforming Ministers of Ireland—a Grant commonly called the Regium Donum?
MR. GLADSTONEI cannot avoid, Sir, saying that I think the multiplication of Questions of this class is of a nature not very consistent with the usages of this House. When we are engaged in the discussion of a question, I think it is better that all explanations should be given within the time which is appropriated to that discussion; and I hardly know whether I am justified, after having answered the Question of the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Whalley) last evening, in answering this. It would, however, be discourteous to remain silent under the Question that has been put by the hon. Member; but I hope the Answer will not be drawn into a precedent. I venture to say that I think the Question shows that the hon. Gentleman has not given his mind to the statement I endeavoured to make to the House—namely, that I do not intend to propose—and I consider it wholly beyond the limits of my duty to propose—any plan for settling or disposing of the question of Ecclesiastical Endowments in Ireland. I have ventured to state to the House, and, to a certain extent, to ask the assent of the House to certain principles and leading propositions which, it struck me, ought to be included in such a plan. The only propositions 836 I have made applicable to the subject-matter of this Question are these—In the first place, that I consider all the principles of equity and consideration upon which I should propose and desire to deal with the Established Church must—I will not, however, say "must," because that is not a Parliamentary word—but ought, after we have determined how to deal with the Established Church, to be applied in their full breadth to those other bodies who have Ecclesiastical interests in connection with the State. That is the first proposition; and the second is, that, by arrangements of some kind introduced into such plan, provision should be made for relieving the Consolidated Fund from payment for the purposes of religion in Ireland.