§ MR. J. G. TALBOT (Oxford University)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will undertake that the Bill relating to the Established Church in Wales shall not be introduced except at a time when there will be ample opportunity for the discussion of the Motion?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe Motion for leave to introduce the Bill will he made at such a time as will admit of its being discussed at reasonable length.
§ MR. J. G. TALBOTWill it be the first Order of the Day?
§ MR. ASQUITHWe cannot say until we see what the course of Business is.
§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONbeg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will he the position of endowments granted by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners under existing Acts of Parliament, and according to their usual practice, in the event of the Suspensory Bill (Wales) becoming law; and whether any action has already been taken by the Government in the matter?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe hon. Member must allow me to postpone the answer to the first part of the question until I have an opportunity on moving for leave to introduce the Bill of explaining its provisions. The Government have no power to control the action of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; but the individual Members of the Government who are Commissioners will probably feel it their duty to endeavour to check any unnecessary augmentation of vested interests in the Welsh Church.
§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONWas any official letter sent to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners?
§ MR. ASQUITHNot so far as I am aware.