CLAUSE 2.—The diocese of St. Edmunds- bury and Ipswich to consist (subject to the provisions contained in the First Schedule as to rearrangement of boundaries) of the administrative counties of East Suffolk and West Suffolk.

HC Deb 13 August 1913 vol 56 cc2616-8

Sir EDWARD BEAUCHAMP

I beg to move, at the end of the Clause, to add the words "except the rural deanery of Lothingland."

There is a general desire that there should be another Bishopric for Suffolk, but there is one part of the county of Suffolk, that part which I represent, the rural Deanery of Lothingland, which would like to be brought within the Bishopric of Norwich, which is nearer than the cathedral town of Bury St. Edmunds or Ipswich. There is a good train serive to Norwich, which can be reached very quickly, and there is not a single incumbent of the rural Deanery of Lothingland who has not asked to be excluded from the nek Bishopric of Suffolk and to be left in the Diocese of Norwich. I have been assured by the Noble Lord in charge of the Bill that it is not really necessary to move this Amendment, and that my moving it might imperil the progress of the Bill. I am assured that a scheme has been prepared for the rearrangement of boundaries, and that it might be possible to include the rural Deanery of Lothingland in the diocese of Norwich. I merely formally move my Amendment with a view to getting some assurance on the subject.

Lord HUGH CECIL

I think the hon. Member quite correctly understood me. I cannot express any opinion on the precise merits of the change of boundaries, because I am not familiar with the local circumstances, but I am quite sure that under the third Clause of the First Schedule such a scheme can be made, and therefore it is unnecessary to insert any provision in the Bill. If the Commissioners make the scheme in the sense indicated, I imagine that great weight would be placed on local opinion. I am sure it is quite unnecessary to move the Amendment, and if it were pressed it. would imperil the Bill.

Sir E. BEAUCHAMP

I ask leave to withdraw my Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill reported, without Amendment; read the third time, and passed.

Lord HUGH CECIL

I have to express my acknowledgment to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and to hon. Members opposite for the graceful spirit they have exhibited in respect to this Bill and to the other Bills.

Whereupon Mr. SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of 22nd July, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at Thirteen minutes after Seven o'clock.