§ MR. BOWRINGsaid, he would bog to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take an early opportunity of introducing a Bill for the purpose of giving effect to the recommendations on the subject of a new Lectionary contained in the Third Report of the Ritual Commissioners, there being reason to believe that the present uncertainty as to an approaching revision of the Lectionary had deprived of employment many persons connected with the printing and publication of prayer books?
MR. GLADSTONESir, when the Ritual Commission made their Report upon the subject of the Lectionary, it was obviously desirable and necessary that some time should be given to those interested in the subject to consider that Report, because alterations of that kind once made ought not to be subject to early re-amendment. A pledge also was given to the late Archbishop of Canterbury that an opportunity should be given to the clergy to consider that Report, which we thought a very reasonable promise to make. That time has now been given, and the Report has been favourably received by the clergy and, in general, by all who have considered it. It is the intention of Her Majesty's Government, therefore, to introduce a Bill forthwith, for the purpose of asking the sanction of Parliament to 394 the Report. I hope, with my hon. Friend, that the effect of asking for such a measure may be to remove or diminish the stagnation which undoubtedly does prevail in that branch of trade connected with the preparation of prayer books.