§ MR. RADFORD (Islington, E.)To ask the hon. Member for the Elland Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware that the Poor Brothers of the Charterhouse, all of whom are of the age of sixty years and upwards, are required by the regulations of the governors to attend chapel service twice on Sunday and once every day of the week, and that they are liable to a fine of 1s. for absence on Sunday and 3d. for absence on a week-day; and whether he will consider whether any steps can be taken to put a stop to this system of compulsory conformity.
(Answered by Mr. Trevelyan.) The regulations under which the fines alluded to in the Question are permitted to be imposed are made under the Act of 3 Charles I. and the scheme of 3rd December, 1872 regulating the charity. The former master, Dr. Haig-Brown, used to enforce them, but the present master, Canon Jelf, who has held the post for a year, has not yet attempted to enforce them. It may, therefore, per-perhaps be hoped that the practice of fining for non-attendance at chapel will fall into disuse, without any outside interference, as inconsistent with modern ideas of the conduct of denominational institutions.