§ MR. H. D. GREENE (Shrewsbury)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, upon the resignation of Sir Arthur Charles of the office of Dean of Arches and Judge under the Public Worship Regulation Act, His Majesty's Government will consider the expediency of improving the constitution of the Ecclesiastical Courts, modernising their procedure, and, if necessary, altering the duties, emoluments, and tenure of the officers; and whether, in the case of any fresh appointment, arrangements could be made for the next Judge under the Public Worship Regulation Act to assist the Judges of the High Court in their duties under Special Commission or otherwise.
§ (Answered by Mr. A. J. Balfour.) I am far from suggesting the opinion that the present Ecclesiastical Courts might not be usefully reformed both as to their constitution and procedure, but I could not undertake to make substantive proposals on so difficult a subject in the near future. As regards the Dean of Arches the appointment rests with the two Archbishops, and Mr. Dibdin, K.C., has been appointed to the vacant office.