§ MR. J. R. YORKEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Dr. Bradley, who has recently accepted a Canonry in Worcester Cathedral, will still retain his position as Master of University College, Oxford; and, if so, whether he has considered the inconvenience that might not improbably result from the creation of a new vested interest pending the report of the Commission on Cathedrals, which may be expected to make recommendations having an important bearing on the holding of double preferments?
MR. GLADSTONEWith regard to the question of appointments to canonries, I quite agree that appointments in cathedrals in conjunction with other appointments should be carefully watched. But, at the same time, I must say I do not think, in reference to that particular case mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, there has been, or is, any occasion to require from Dr. Bradley any general engagement. The House is aware that nothing has been so common as to use cathedral appointments, under recent arrangements, by way of reward to distinguished parochial clergymen. That is a practice which has gone on very largely, and whore the selection is judicious I think it highly desirable. Of all those appointments there is none so free from conflict of duty as those of the Heads of Colleges, who reside in their Colleges for something like six months each year, and only three months in the cathedral towns. The subject is under the consideration of the Cathedrals Commission, and I have no doubt we shall receive very valuable recommendations from that Commission.