§ MR. BARTLEYasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the sale by private 714 auction of the advowson of St. Catherine's Church, Abercromby Square, Liverpool, on the 11th of February last, when it was reported that the bidding began at £100, and increased by small amounts till it reached £700, the reserved price; that there was a large attendance, and the bidding went on amid considerable excitement till the sum of £1,055 was reached, when the advowson was sold; and, whether the Government will bring in a Bill this Session to stop such sales in the Established Church?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE)I am cognizant of the evil practices connected with sales of the rights of Church property; and I am very desirous that Parliament should entertain favourably any reasonable measure for the purpose of checking or putting an end to these abuses. I have always endeavoured to promote and obtain facilities, as far as I could, for discussing measures of that kind in this House; but I own that measures of that kind might very well be left in the hands of private Members. I do not think the Government, in the present state of its actual and possible engagements, could undertake to bring in any such Bill.