§ MR. RICHARDSI beg to ask the Member for Salford, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if attention has been called to the conduct of 1120 the Central London Railway Company, who have blocked the main entrance of the parish church of St. Mary Woolnoth, in the City of London, and are selling seats at their station booking office for scats built upon the churchyard, and in front of the main entrance of the parish church; and, seeing that the Central London Railway Company are not the owners or part owners of such fabric or churchyard, if they have paid or deposited any, and, if so, what portion of the award against them for injuriously affecting the said church; and if such erection has been made with the knowledge and assent of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSIONER (Mr. LEES KNOWLES,) Salford, W.The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have not been consulted as to the erection by the Central London Railway Company of a stand upon the churchyard of St. Man Woolnoth, nor do the Commissioners claim any authority in the matter. I understand that a faculty for the erection of a stand has been decreed by the Consistory Court of the Bishop of London, to be granted to the rector and churchwardens and the railway company jointly. The Commissioners have been informed that a sum of £80,000 has been paid into court by the railway company in respect of the arbitrator's award upon the claim made by the rector and churchwardens for interference with the church and churchyard, and so forth. The award, however, was provisional upon the decision of the High Court upon certain legal questions involved, and the time for appeal against the judgment of the High Court which has been obtained has, I understand, not yet expired.