HC Deb 23 July 1885 vol 299 cc1629-30
MR. BROADHURST

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether his attention has been called to a recent case in the Newcastle on Tyne Bankruptcy Court of the Vicar of St. Mark's, South Shields, in which it was stated in evidence that he had handed over for the purpose of liquidating his debts, among other sources of income, his draft from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and his "school grant;" whether ho will cause inquiry to be made into the truth of these statements; and, whether the teaching staff of the school for which the grant was intended have lost any part of their income in consequence of such reported diversion of funds?

THE VICE PRESIDENT (Mr. E. STANHOPE)

I have not seen any such statement as that to which the hon. Member refers, nor has he, as I requested, furnished me with a copy of it. It is a fact that during the last two years the Vicar of St. Mark's, South Shields, has been in difficulties; but the suggestion of this Question is that public money has been applied by him to liquidate his private debts. The hon. Member does not seem to be aware that the "draft from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners," which means the half-yearly cheque sent by them in payment of his stipend, is absolutely at the disposal of the vicar. The school grant, which is awarded to the managers of the school after each examination, form part of the general income of the school, and has been handed over by the Vicar to his solicitor, with instructions to pay school liabilities out of the school grant. The cash-books and vouchers are annually submitted to the Inspector of Schools, and I am informed that no member of the teaching staff has lost any of his income, although on one occasion, owing to a lack of funds, there was an unavoidable delay. Perhaps the House will allow me to express an opinion that it is hardly fair to bring charges of dishonesty in the form of a Question without taking the trouble to verify their correctness in any way.

MR. BROADHURST

My Question was based on a newspaper report which I hold in my hand. I must remind the right hon. Gentleman that I had asked a Question only, and it is a departure from the recognized principles for a Member of the Government to make such a statement in answer to a Question.