HC Deb 25 February 1886 vol 302 cc1212-3
SIR ROBERT PEEL

asked the Senior Member for Cambridge University, Whether it is a fact that, under a grant of Henry VIII. and after the dissolution of the Monastery at Newburgh, the Rectory of Coxwold, Yorkshire, which had belonged to that Monastery, was given to Trinity College, Cambridge, under the sacred obligation of providing for the spiritual wants of the parishioners; whether the present state of things as between Trinity College, Cambridge, and the parish of Coxwold is as follows: Trinity College is possessed of the Rectory, which comprises the whole ecclesiastical revenues of the parish, of the annual value of £1,678 13s. 8d. commuted rent-charge, under the sacred obligation of providing for the spiritual wants of the people of the parish, which obligation the College discharges by the annual money payment of £30, there being no parsonage house in the parish, no glebe land, and no other endowment except £20 per annum from the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, while the parish is so extensive that it is impossible for one clergyman properly to discharge his duties without assistance; and, whether steps cannot be taken with- out delay to put an end to the neglect on the part of Trinity College to fulfil the obligations accepted by the College when it became possessed of the whole ecclesiastical revenues of the parish of Coxwold?

MR. SPEAKER

I am very sorry to have to point out to the right hon. Baronet that under the Rules of the House he is not entitled to put a Question to an hon. Member who is not in an official position.

SIR ROBERT PEEL

May I be allowed to say that I have brought the case under the notice of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; but they decline to have anything to do with so gross a case. My object in putting the Question upon the Paper was to obtain a confirmation of the report as to the state of the case.

MR. SPEAKER

I am afraid that it is not in accordance with the Rules of this House to put a Question of this nature to a private Member.

SIR ROBERT PEEL

Inconsequence of your ruling, Sir, I beg to give Notice that on going into Committee of Supply I will call attention to the matter which forms the subject of my Notice, and will move a Resolution.