§ 41. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if he will state under what Section or Sections of the Act 3 and 4 Vic, c. 113, and of the Act 17 and 18 Vic, c. 84, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners prepared, on the proposal of the Rector of St. John's, the scheme bearing date 6th March, 1913, which altered the financial relations between the benefices of St. Margaret's and St. John's in favour of the incumbent of St. John's; and upon what words in these Acts the Commissioners hold that they have power to alter such financial arrangements by a scheme not laid before Parliament?
§ Sir CHARLES NICHOLSONThe scheme was prepared under Section 74 of the Act 3 and 4 Vic, c. 113, and Section 8 of the Act 17 and 18 Vic, c. 84. The procedure in relation to such schemes is set out in Sections 83 and 84 of the former Act, which do not require that a scheme shall be laid before Parliament before it is ratified by Order of His Majesty in Council.
§ Sir H. CRAIKMay I ask whether the Commissioners did not think, even if they were under no legal necessity, that at least it would have been well to consult the Dean and Chapter of Westminster before the change was made in the relations of the two parishes under that Dean and Chapter?
§ Sir C. NICHOLSONI am afraid we cannot consider ourselves censors of the morals of the Dean and Chapter.
§ Sir H. CRAIKI am speaking of the morals of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.