§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (, &c.) CarnarvonI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that a Committee of Convocation is now sitting for the purpose of preparing canons bearing upon clergy discipline; and whether, in view of this fact, he will postpone the Second Reading of the Clergy Discipline (Immorality) Bill until such Committee has presented its Report? May I also ask whether the paragraph in yesterday's Times is correct—that it is the intention of the Government not to press the Second Reading of the Bill before Easter?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have not seen the paragraph in question, and I can only say, in answer to the hon. Gentleman's question on that subject, that I am desirous of getting on with the Bill before Easter; but, as the House is aware, there is much business to be done before Easter, and I am not very sanguine on the point. As regards the question on the Paper, I do think it very desirable that the clergy in Convocation should have an opportunity 370 of expressing an opinion on the Bill, and I trust that they will do so. I cannot pledge myself to imperil the passage of the Bill by waiting an undue length of time for such expression of opinion.
§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)Are there any recent precedents which would justify the House in waiting on the decision of Convocation?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman will observe that I said nothing about waiting for the decision of Convocation. What I said was that it was very desirable that the House should have the opinion of the clergy expressed; in any legislation affecting that or any other body we are always glad of such an expression of opinion.