HC Deb 28 February 1912 vol 34 cc1365-6
Viscount WOLMER

asked the Prime Minister, whether, before appointing the Home Secretary as an Ecclesiastical Commissioner, he took steps to ascertain whether he was a member of the Church of England, in view of the declaration to that effect required of each member of the Commission under Statute 6 and 7 William IV., c. 77?

Mr. McKENNA

I would ask the Noble Lord to postpone this question until the Prime Minister is here.

Viscount WOLMER

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman requires the Prime Minister to tell him whether or not he is a member of the Church of England?

Mr. McKENNA

It is a very difficult legal question to determine who is and who is not a member of the Church of England as by law established.

Viscount WOLMER

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know himself whether he is a member?

Mr. McKENNA

I am rather disposed to think that I am a member of the Church of England, who habitually takes advantage of the Toleration Act and other statutes.

Viscount WOLMER

On that legal quibble—?

Mr. SPEAKER

The Noble Lord had better put his question on the Paper.

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