§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI beg leave to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to the Patronage of Benefices, and to amend the Pluralties Acts, 1838 and 1885. I do not think that in introducing this Bill it is necessary that I should detain the House long. The Bill is based upon, and covers, broadly speaking, the same grounds as that which the House read a second time 491 yesterday without a division, and also of the Bill brought in last year by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Bootle Division. There are, however, differences—not important differences—connected with both of these Measures, but those differences are rather for discussion in Committee than for the First or Second Reading. It will be sufficient if I say that the object of the Bill is to strengthen the law against Simoniacal practices by requiring the transfer of the benefices to be registered in the diocesan register, by prohibiting the transfer of next presentations, by invalidating any transfer made within twelve months after institution, and by preventing the transfer carrying with it any rights of possession. There is to be an appeal from any decision which a bishop may give to a Court in which a lay Judge shall give a final verdict, both as to law and fact. There is another clause providing that where under the existing Pluralities Acts a curate has been appointed in the parish in consequence of the incumbent of that parish not doing his duty to the parish, the bishop shall be empowered to inhibit the clergyman from any ecclesiastical acts or functions in the parish. That will not, of course, alter the amount of the emolument which the clergyman derives from the living. I do not think anything more need be said, and I beg to move that the Bill be now read a first time.
AN HON. MEMBERI hope that my right hon. Friend will reconsider his decision to take the Second Reading on Monday next. We shall require time, and there is no need for hurry.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI may say that copies of the Bill will be available for Members about eight o'clock this day, and I cannot but think that the time which lapses between now and Monday will be amply sufficient. My supporters, whose names appear on the Bill, are the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor-General.
§ Bill brought in and read a first time without a division; Monday next fixed for Second Reading.