§ Mr. BOOTHasked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who usually presides at the meetings and who is the chairman of the Estates Committee; what are the names of the Commissioners who receive salaries and what is the amount of each; how many of the Commissioners are Bishops; and in what manner are the laymen elected or appointed?
§ Mr. C. N. NICHOLSONThe Archbishop of Canterbury is by statute chairman of every general meeting at which he is present and in fact he usually presides. The First Church Estates Commissioner is by statute chairman of the Estates Committee. Sir Lewis Dibdin is First Church Estates Commissioner, salary £1,200 per annum. Mr. Stuart-Wortley is the other paid Church Estates Commissioner, salary £1,000 per annum: the Episcopal Members of the Board number thirty-six; the laymen consist of five Ministers, four Judges, three Church Estates Commissioners (the first and second appointed by the Crown, the other by the Archbishop of Canterbury) and nine other gentlemen, of whom seven are appointed by the Crown and two by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
§ Mr. BOOTHAre the Ministers referred to Ministers of the Crown, and, if so, do they ever attend these meetings?
§ Mr. C. N. NICHOLSONThey are attended by some of them. They do not always attend.
§ Mr. C. N. NICHOLSONYes.
§ Mr. C. N. NICHOLSONSome of them are Ministers of the Crown.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member wishes to put a further question he should give notice.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHMay I ask whether the Mr. Stuart-Wortley to whom the hon. Member has referred as drawing a large salary is the same Mr. Stuart-Wortley who is a Member of this House?
§ Mr. NICHOLSONYes; that is so.
§ HON. MEMBERS: Why not?