§ MR. ILLINGWORTHasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he is aware that cathedrals, and similar ecclesiastical buildings, in Scotland are under the management of the Board of Works; and, whether he will consider the desirability of placing Westminster Abbey, and all other cathedrals in England, under the same control, with the view to their adequate maintenance and preservation?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)Sir. on the abolition of Episcopacy in Scotland and the appropriation by the Crown of the Episcopal teinds, the obligation of supporting certain of the Cathedrals and Abbeys devolved upon the Crown; and since the separation of the Offices of Woods and Works tins charge falls on the Estimates of the Office of Works. The case of the English Cathedrals and Westminster Abbey is quite different, the Church retaining the Episcopal and! Capitular Revenues. Besides, I am one of those who think that the less busi- 37 ness is thrown on the Central Government the better; and I am not prepared to propose that English Cathedrals should be repaired either out of Votes of Parliament or under the responsibility of a Government Department.