MR. NEVILLE-GRENVILLEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he intends to bring in a Bill to regulate Colleges of Minor Canons, Lay Vicars, and similar subordinate Corporations in Cathedral Foundations; and, whether, where the numbers in such Corporations have fallen below the minimum prescribed by statute or charter, there is any power to compel Deans and Chapters to fill up the vacancies?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, it was not the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill, at all events during the present Session, to effect the purpose mentioned in the Question of the hon. Member. In 1840 a Bill was brought in upon the subject, and in consequence of a particular clause having been struck out of it in "another place "it had rather complicated the difficulty. 390 He agreed, however, with his hon. Friend that it was desirable something should be done to remedy the existing state of things. With regard to the filling up of vacancies where the numbers in a particular corporation had fallen below the minimum prescribed by statute or charter, he was advised that a mandamus would he to compel the Dean and Chapter to perform their duty with respect to the minor canons; but, as the issuing of a mandamus was a matter of discretion in regard to which the Court would take all the circumstances into account, he could not give any opinion as to the manner in which such discretion would be exerciesd.
MR. NEVILLE-GRENVILLEgave Notice that on an early day he would call attention to the subject of Cathedral establishments, and to the recommendations of the Royal Commission thereon,