§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether they control any funds available for the purchase of historical relics connected with the Established Church; and, if not, whether they will seek powers to effect this?
§ Mr. GULLAND (Lord of the Treasury)The hon. Member, not being here, has asked me to give the reply. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners control no funds available for the purpose mentioned, and they do not propose to seek powers to alienate to this purpose any portion of their funds, which are wholly devoted to making better provision for the cure of souls in necessary places.
§ 9. Mr. KINGasked whether he is aware that the old organ front formerly in Westminster Abbey is now being offered for sale 1602 by a West End dealer as an artistic curio; and whether the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have any powers to prevent beautiful objects of historic interest being alienated from ecclesiastical buildings and sold or otherwise disposed of?
§ Mr. GULLANDThe answer to both parts of this question is in the negative.