HC Deb 05 March 1888 vol 323 c171
MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)

asked the Secretary of State fur the Home Department, When the Return, ordered on the 20th of June, 1887, of the property and revenues of the Church of England and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners under the several heads specified in the Address moved on that day, will be presented to the House?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STUART-WORTLEY) (Shef- 172 field, Hallam)

(who replied) said: Every effort is being made by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to complete this Return as soon as possible. They cannot, however, yet fix a date when it will be ready. Much correspondence and lengthy explanations by letter with incumbents who have given imperfect answers to the queries issued are necessary for the perfect preparation of the Return; and this correspondence, as well as the general supervision of the work, falls on the regular staff of the Department, who are already fully engaged with their ordinary duties.

In reply to a further Question by Mr. CHANNING,

MR. STUART-WORTLEY

said, the Return would be of great magnitude. In 1832 work of a similar kind occupied a Royal Commission specially appointed with an independent staff for no less than three years.